Protecting and Supporting the Elderly in a Rapidly Ageing Society
Photo courtesy of Migrationology
Today is the International Day of Older Persons
“Respect for the aged is the highest form of civilization.” – Marcus Tullius Cicero
Elders are the keepers of memory, wisdom and experience – the living bridge between the past and the present. They are recognised under international human rights frameworks, particularly the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (2002), which guides governments in ensuring health, participation and security for older persons. The global community has recognised that ageing populations require focused policy responses, especially since the proportion of elderly people worldwide is rapidly increasing. In Sri Lanka, where life expectancy has risen steadily over the decades, this responsibility is even more pressing.
Elders live in two very different worlds. On one side are the privileged – those who enjoy their later years with financial stability, access to quality healthcare, supportive families and opportunities to remain active. They are celebrated at home, involved in their grandchildren’s lives and continue to be respected voices in their communities. For them, old age can be a season of rest, wisdom and reflection. Yet for many others, the reality is starkly different. Thousands of elders in Sri Lanka face loneliness, neglect and sometimes outright abuse. In families fractured by migration, elderly parents are left behind to fend for themselves while children work overseas. Domestic violence, although less discussed in the context of elders, is a very real issue with some suffering physical or verbal abuse from relatives meant to care for them. Women, in particular, are vulnerable; widows with no income often face exploitation and neglect while others live in silence after being mistreated within their own homes. There are also shocking cases where elders have been abandoned, either left at hospitals or placed in overcrowded homes for the aged.
The gravity of elder abuse in Sri Lanka is reflected in real life cases. In 2022, a 72 year-old widow in Batticaloa was confined to a single room by her own children, deprived of proper meals and denied medical care for months, suffering silently until neighbours intervened. In 2023, an 80 year-old man in Colombo was physically assaulted by his caretaker in a private elder care facility, leaving him hospitalised with fractured ribs and no immediate justice, as investigations were delayed due to bureaucratic hurdles. Another case involved an elderly couple in a rural village in Nuwara Eliya, who were forced to leave their ancestral home after their property was taken over by relatives, leaving them homeless during the rainy season. In Jaffna an elderly father was verbally and physically abused by his own children over disputes about property, leaving him isolated and psychologically traumatised. These instances represent only a fraction of the unseen suffering of elders across the island. They are stark reminders that awareness, vigilance and accountability are essential to protect those who once protected and nurtured society.
Statistics highlight the scale of the challenge. Sri Lanka is one of the fastest ageing countries in Asia with nearly 15% of the population above 60 years today, a figure projected to rise to 25% by 2041. This demographic shift brings serious implications for healthcare, social security and community support. Health concerns are particularly pressing; non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and heart disease disproportionately affect elders while access to affordable geriatric care remains limited. Mental health is another growing crisis with many older Sri Lankans suffering from depression and loneliness, particularly those living without family support. Financial insecurity compounds these problems. Although pensions and state assistance exist, only a fraction of elders receive adequate benefits, leaving many dependent on their children or struggling in poverty. Social attitudes often worsen the situation; elderly voices are side-lined, their opinions dismissed and their needs treated as secondary. These numbers and realities show that old age requires protection, compassion and structured support.
The Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing lays out clear principles: older persons have the right to participate in society, to access medical care, to live in security and dignity and to be free from abuse and neglect. Elders have the right to meaningful social engagement, rest and inclusion. Unfortunately, in Sri Lanka, countless cases show these rights remain unfulfilled. Stories of elders abandoned in hospitals, neglected in estates or mistreated in elder care facilities highlight the gap between promises and reality. Justice for elders is often delayed, inconsistent or absent.
Several organizations work to uphold elders’ rights. The National Secretariat for Elders, under the Ministry of Women, Child Affairs, and Social Empowerment, coordinates elder care policies and provides financial assistance. NGOs such as HelpAge Sri Lanka run medical outreach programmes, vision care initiatives and awareness campaigns. Religious and community-based organizations also manage homes for the aged, although many struggle with resources. International agencies like the World Health Organization promote healthy ageing initiatives in collaboration with local authorities. Yet these efforts face challenges including limited funding, cultural stigma and uneven implementation.
Elders have fundamental rights that must be guaranteed. They have the right to life, survival and dignity. They deserve access to medical care, nutritious food, and safe housing. They should be able to receive beneficial information through newspapers, television or digital media. They should receive assistance from the government when necessary and have opportunities for rest, leisure and community engagement. They should not be forced into dangerous or exploitative work and they deserve to maintain safe, meaningful relationships with their families and communities. Most importantly, they have the right to think for themselves, express their opinions and be listened to with respect and seriousness by both families and society.
Elder protection systems must be strengthened, healthcare services expanded and pensions and social security enhanced so ageing does not mean vulnerability or neglect. Communities must shift cultural attitudes, treating elders not as burdens but as repositories of wisdom and experience. Families must resist the growing trend of abandonment and abuse, choosing instead to honour the sacrifices and contributions that built the society they live in.
