Overview of Elderly care in Sri Lanka

Dr.Shiromi Maduwage

MMBS,MSc,MD (Com.Med)

Consultant Community Physician

Total population = 20,359,439 Total population of over 60 Years = 2,52,457 As a percentage of total population = 12.4%

Male population over 60 years 1,115,651 Percentage of elderly population 44.26% Total male population 5.47%

Female population over 60 years 1,404,922 Percentage of elderly population 55.74% Total female population 6.90%

Source: Department of Census and Statistics 2009 Sri Lanka

Elderly population aged 60+ years

Year Percentage

1971 6.3 0.3%

1981 6.6

2001 9.2

2012 12.2 (census)

2016 14.5

2021 16.8 3.9%

2031 20.7

Population of aged over 60 & under 14

Source: Department of Census and Statistics & Labour Ministry

Legal Documents

• The National Charter and National Policy for Elders has been adopted by the

Cabinet of Ministers in the Year of 2006.

• National Elderly Health Policy –Sri Lanka

National Elders

Charter 2006

Enactment of the

Protection of Rights of

Elders Act 2000

National Policy for

Elders 2006

National Council

for Elders

Maintenance Board for

Claims from Neglected

Parents

National Secretariat

for Elders

Elders Trust Fund

Social & welfare services for elders Issuing Identity cards Establishment Village, District, Divisional and Provincial Level Committees and Provision of Financial Assistance. Issue of free Eye lenses Issue of free Hearing Aids Sponsorship Scheme Provision of Funds to renovate Elders Home Establishment of day Centers Provision of Financial grants for Income Generation Activities Conducting Pre Retirement Programmes Conducting Counseling Programmes for Elders Training of Care Givers for Elders Maintenance Board for Elders

Network of the Elders Committees

• Village committees organize

– Awareness programmes to elders

– Medical clinics including screening for NCDs

– Cultural programmes

– Various welfare programmes

– Spiritual Programmes

• National Secretariat provides a sum of Rs. 5,000/= for an

elders committee as a capital for them to raise their funds,

• There are approximately 10,000 village level committees

already functioning with the active participation of elderly

people.

SOCIAL

• Elderly health care is a priority

area in the Health Master Plan

• Elderly Health care services are

planned and implemented

according to the action plan on

elderly

• National level and provincial

level institutes have close

collaboration in implementing

activities to promote elderly

health care

• Elderly health care is integrated to the community health care services as a priority

• Community care services are implemented through the existing public health system in the country

• Promoteing active and healthy aging in the community specially among younger generations using elders as a resource group.

• Use new advocacy methods to promote awareness & for good attitudes

Low cost interventions

Cont….

• Training of community care givers on elderly care

• Elderly caregiver training programme towards NVQ level.

• Pre retirement health promotion programmes in public and private sector organizations

Elderly friendly city concept

First elderly friend city- Walawaya , Monaragala district

Curative care

• According to the Elderly

Health care delivery plan

• Establishment of age friendly wards

in curative sector.

• Establishment of Stroke care units

in hospitals

• Human resource development

• National Institute of Geriatric

Medicine

• Improve rehabilitation services

according to guidelines

• Establish long term care & primary

care facilities

Accessibility facilities for disabled elders

Cont…

• Development of information system

• Research on elderly care

Areas to be improved

• Strengthening of Multi disciplinary team management

(Human resource development , Infrastructure development & Attitudinal change)

• Public private partnership

Life starts at age 60

• Life becomes beautiful when lived with some purpose and still more glorious if that purpose is to make difference.

Elders……

Plan your old age

Maintain your dignity

Be flexible, Be with your family and be a

resource to your younger generation

LIFE STARTS AT AGE 60 YEARS