Journals Information
International Journal of Social Work and Human Services Practice(CEASE PUBLICATION) Vol. 1(1), pp. 9 - 14
DOI: 10.13189/ijrh.2013.010102
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Elderly Women in Institutionalized Care: A Situational Analysis of the Elderly in a Colombo City Neighborhood, Sri Lanka
Varathagowry Vasudevan*
School of Social Work, National Institute of Social Development, Ministry of Social Services, Colombo, Sri Lanka
ABSTRACT
In Sri Lanka with the rapid ageing of the population, the care of the elderly has become an important and urgent issue requiring immediate attention. In this context this study was undertaken in an elder’s home in a Colombo city neighborhood to carry out a situational analysis of the care given to the institutionalized elders. Using the survey and the case study techniques information was collected and processed using the statistical package to ascertain the family support and their opinion regarding the quality of service provided the nature of the relationship between the elderly and their family members and on the perception of the elderly on the services provided. The most important finding of the study was that the elderly women felt isolated from family and community. The study also interestingly de-mystified the general belief that the potential of the elderly to contribute to developmental activities was limited due to declining health conditions in the later part of their life. This study has reiterated the fact that there is wide scope to strengthening family ties by reintegrating the elderly into family and community, to de-institutionalizing elderly care and augmenting the quality of care given in an institution and by providing non- institutional services. The study also suggested to establishing integrated model home for the children and the elderly.
KEYWORDS
Elderly Women, Institutionalized Care, Social Work
Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Varathagowry Vasudevan , "Elderly Women in Institutionalized Care: A Situational Analysis of the Elderly in a Colombo City Neighborhood, Sri Lanka," International Journal of Social Work and Human Services Practice(CEASE PUBLICATION), Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 9 - 14, 2013. DOI: 10.13189/ijrh.2013.010102.
(b). APA Format:
Varathagowry Vasudevan (2013). Elderly Women in Institutionalized Care: A Situational Analysis of the Elderly in a Colombo City Neighborhood, Sri Lanka. International Journal of Social Work and Human Services Practice(CEASE PUBLICATION), 1(1), 9 - 14. DOI: 10.13189/ijrh.2013.010102.