A sociological study on elderly care in an urban community in Sri Lanka

Abstract

rt is expected that the world will fe e l an implication o f population ageing in the near future ever than before. It is also estimated that 48.2% o f the world ageing population belongs to Asian countries. Furthermore, Sri Lanka accounts fo r the highest rate o f increasing ageing population among the countries in the region. In this context, the region as well as the world face a new dimension o f issues related to caring elders. This paper, discusses the way o f caring elders and the associated problems, particularly in an urban context in Sri Lanka. Further this study, aims to understand how this problem signifies according to gender and social class. Some specific questions were addressed in the fie ld study such as: what are the elders* present situations and their routines, how smoothly do they maintain relationships with family members, what are the problems fa c ed by the elders when receiving care and caregivers in caring elders.The study found that the main problem faced by the elders from lower class was economic difficulties. Meanwhile, social insecurity seemed to be the major problem fa c ed by elders o f the middle class. This study clearly identified that elderl y women face more difficulties and problems than elderly men. As a key player, caregivers also encounter numerous difficulties in caring elders. These were found in the spheres o f social, economic, cultural etc. In spite o f difficulties they faced, majority o f elders wished to live with their family and thereby they can receive love, affection and attention, which they need.