Assessment of Wellbeing of Elders, Family and Community Contributions towards Elderly Care in Selected Districts in Sri Lanka

The aging of population is an unavoidable and irreversible global phenomenon. Aging in developed countries occurred gradually over a relatively long period of life while aging in developing countries including Sri Lanka has been more rapid. Sri Lanka rapidly aging population has important social economic implications and real challenges for government and older population themselves. This research identifies the issues that affect the lives of senior citizens and further matters into the major physiological and psychological problems. Elders desire a life with good health, dignity, economic independence and finally a peaceful death. They long for care, love and affection. This study looks into the wellbeing of elders in the rural settings and family and community support they received. Furthermore, their satisfaction on available community services were assessed. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in Walasmulla MOH area to assess the family and community assistance for the well-being of elders. A cluster sampling technique was used to select 394 elders. An interview administered questionnaire and an observation check list were used to collect information. Majority of the elders in the sample were Buddhist and Sinhalese. A higher percentage of female elders (56.9%) of whom 63.4% females were without any services of monthly income. The widowhood was also higher among females (66.4%).13.5%of elders have not attended school and 33%. received only primary education. The Physical mental and social wellbeing of the elders were assessed. The functional status was good in 76.9%of the elders. A high proportion of elders in young old category possessed a good functional status for PADL while in the oldest old category the majority were in restricted or in poor functional status. This suggested that the Burden to the care giving family increased as the age advances. The majority of elders were living without psychological distress. Psychological distress level markedly increased above 75 years compared to young old category. A majority of them were involved in effective leisure time activity and religious activities irrespective of their participation in social activities with the family which showed only 50%. Majority of elders did not get any of the five community care services assessed in the study. Only 13.2% received special clinic service from government hospital and services from special elderly clinics in MOH area. A relatively higher percentage of elders got services from the Grama Sewaka (24.5%) some received the service for getting a monthly income and some got the service for getting spectacles, wheel chair and senior Citizen identity card from the social service department Majority of elders were unaware of the concept of healthy active aging. The Gramasewaka was the most popular person among elders out of the primary care service providing in the community Unsatisfactory service providers were seen in government hospitals, clinics MOH areas. Most of the community assistance for elders on day-to-day activities revealed that elders experienced poor community assistance. Majority of elders reviewed in lack of awareness of elderly programmed available for them and majority showed their poor level of satisfaction about the community services received. The importance of the family and community assistance for providing better care for elders should be recognized and prioritized in elderly care.