Social support and social security issues of elders in Sri Lanka

Abstract

With decreasing fertility and mortality rates, the population of Sri Lanka is rapidly aging, and this issue will become one of the greatest challenges the government has to face in the near future. A considerable proportion of elders in Sri Lanka depends on their children or relatives for food, shelter and safely. Although caring for elders is an integral and important cultural norm in the country, factors such as urbanization, migration and westernization have meant that many elders today experience poor health and living conditions. In this context, social support and social security of elders are important issues and need urgent attention of the government, non-governmental organizations and general public. Social support and social security systems available today for elders in Sri Lanka need to be investigated thoroughly to identify mechanisms and strategies that are effective and sustainable. Further, unmet needs of elders with respect to social support and social security need to be assessed. Based on such investigations, specific plans of actions should be formulated to reduce future social support and social security problems of elders in Sri Lanka.