Elder Care: Addressing Needs of an Aging Population (Sri Lanka)

The family is the main support of old people, but there are signs of emerging strains in the traditional support system. As in other countries, elderly who receive pensions (or have other assets) receive less informal support, relieving the burden on poor families, but are more important in household decision making.

The elderly are by and large satisfied with current arrangements and expect these to continue in the future (as do their children). Will these arrangements, including co-residence rates, decline, as they did in Korea, Japan and the US? Predictions are difficult, and expectations of family- based support may not materialize (e.g., Japan).
However, the report finds some signs that the traditional system is under strain. Primary caregivers, mainly women, who both work and care for both children and parents, including providing support for assisted living, report considerable stress in their lives.

Despite being the last resort, institutionalization of elderly has reportedly increased. Many institutionalized elderly note that demanding working lives of their children and preference for living independently were responsible for their institutionalization. There is also some evidence that, as in higher income countries, those elderly who can afford to do so prefer to live alone with their spouse.

Abridged

SOURCE: Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)

An interesting report. Please go to source for more details

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