257342 Caregiving expectations and challenges among elders and their adult children in Southern Sri Lanka

Tuesday, October 30, 2012 : 2:30 PM - 2:42 PM

Melissa Watt, PhD , Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC
Bilesha Perera, PhD , Department of Community Medicine, University of Ruhuna, Faculty of Medicine, Galle, Sri Lanka
Truls Ostbye, MD, PhD , Department of Community and Family Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC
Harshini Rajapakse, MD, PhD , Department of Psychiatry, University of Ruhuna, Faculty of Medicine, Galle, Sri Lanka
Shyama Ranabahu, MPhil , Department of Geography, University of Ruhuna, Faculty of Humanities, Matara, Sri Lanka
Joanna Maselko, PhD , Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC
The elderly population of Sri Lanka is growing rapidly. Elders are traditionally cared for by their adult children, but the changing socio-economic environment may make this arrangement challenging in the future. This paper examines the dynamics of elder-caregiver relationships in Southern Sri Lanka. We conducted 4 focus group discussions with elderly in rural and urban settings, 5 in-depth interviews with elderly spouses, and 10 in-depth interviews with elderly caregivers. Discussion guide topics included actual and ideal caregiving arrangements, and expectations of both parties. Using a grounded theory approach, authors wrote analytic memos to explore themes. Both elders and caregivers felt that elders should be taken care of in the home by their children. They pointed to a sense of duty (“filial piety”) of parental caregiving that is passed down through generations. Elders desired to be taken care of by their children, but also feared losing their independence, and saw financial autonomy as important to maintain balance in the elder-caregiver relationship. Daughters were identified as most appropriate to provide direct caregiving and sons to provide “financial caregiving,” although responsibilities were often shared among multiple children. Challenges were identified in households where both the child and his/her spouse worked outside the home, and where elders were responsible for a disproportionate amount of household work. Results point to the perceived importance of caring for elderly in the home, but also to factors that may create challenges for this arrangement in the future. Opportunities to provide support to elders and their caregivers are highlighted.

Learning Areas:
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe the dynamics of elder-caregiver relationships in Southern Sri Lanka. 2. Identify potential future challenges for the caregiving model in Southern Sri Lanka.

Keywords: Aging, International

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am investigator on this grant and conducted the qualitative analysis.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.