Positioning Sri Lanka as Asia’s elderly-friendly nation

The International Day of Older Persons is observed on the first of October to raise greater awareness on the issues affecting the elderly and to appreciate their contributions to the world.
Of course, ageing is a biological reality characterized by certain physical and psychological changes and largely beyond human control. This is very elegantly portrayed by William Shakespeare in the following phrase.

‘His youthful hose, well saved, a world too wide
For his shrunk shank; and his big manly voice,
Turning again toward childish treble, pipes
And whistles in his sound.’

This article highlights selected measures Sri Lanka could adopt in order to become Asia’s elderly friendly nation thus senior citizens enjoy rich and dignified lives.

Financial security
Raising public awareness on the importance on financial planning and preparation yearly is vital to reduce economic dependency on others whereas availability of saving schemes with enhanced returns would encourage individuals to put aside part of their income to meet future financial needs.
Moreover, existing retirement schemes must be reformed to improve the coverage and to provide higher returns to the retirees whilst the customary retirement age in both public and private sectors could be raised as many people live healthy and active lives even at the oldest ages which would also mitigate the challenges of labor shortages. 

Healthcare 
National health system should prioritize and incorporate the emerging health care needs of the elderly such as establishment of specialized hospitals to provide geriatric care and raising the number of specialized geriatric health care professionals.
Besides, government should introduce suitable mechanism to make healthcare services affordable to the senior citizens when they obtain medical treatment at private sector hospitals and purchase of expensive drugs. The introduction of low-cost medical insurance scheme would also help them to meet medical expenses conveniently.

Culture of caring elderly
Indeed, Sri Lankan society is enriched with the culture of treating elders with more respect and caring the elderly by the family members. 

However, with the changing traditional living patterns and diminishing socio cultural norms necessitates strengthening of a positive and mature attitude towards elderly which would lead Sri Lanka culturally a better place for elderly.

Elderly care
Quality of elderly care provided by elderly care providers such as nursing homes  have to be raised and standardized as the senior citizens of the present era and their family members expect better professional care.

Town and country planning
Sri Lanka’s rapid urbanization and other infrastructure development such as Western region megapolis and financial city along with the public transport system should incorporate elder-friendly elements which would improve the mobility of the senior citizens and connect them well into the community. 

Opportunity for Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka could position itself as an elderly friendly nation in Asia which would attract affluent retirees who may consider Sri Lanka as the second home, resulting positive improvements in tourist arrivals.
Moreover, with the development of world-class cash paying geriatric hospital in Colombo, nation could attract more elderly to visit Sri Lanka for medical treatments from rest of the world where health treatments are very expensive.
As the ageing is the world phenomenon, developing Sri Lanka’s human capital in the field of specialized geriatric health professions such as geriatricians and other care providers particularly nursing, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, social work and counselling, would pave migration opportunities to developed world earning foreign remittances as an alternative to house maid and low skilled grade labor migration.

Conclusion    
In the context of ageing, Sri Lanka could position itself as Asia’s elderly friendly nation, which necessitates a comprehensive plan backed by greater co-ordination between agencies and necessary resources.
(The writer is an Assistant General Manager of a leading organization. He is a graduate of the Chartered Institute of Marketing and Wayamba University of Sri Lanka. You can share your feedback on [email protected])