Challenges and Lessons Learnt Among Older People During the COVID 19 Pandemic in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Sri Lanka is a rapidly ageing country in Southeast Asia. COVID 19 pandemic has affected Sri Lanka since March 2020. Older persons were identified as one of the vulnerable groups of the population. Sri Lankan older persons are affected due to the pandemic with health, social and financial implications. COVID 19 imposes higher morbidity and mortality in older persons directly affecting their lives in many ways and affecting total well-being of them. Psychological well-being of older persons were affected due to factors like social distancing and travel restrictions. The isolation and loneliness of older persons increased, reducing their quality of life. Older persons also faced many economic hardships due to the pandemic. Many successful strategies were taken in both health and non-health sectors to improve the quality of life of older persons as a country. Steps were taken to maintain free health services maximally without interruption. Efforts were made to utilize existing service systems to maintain continuous service delivery flow for older persons. Home-based delivery of essential medicine was continued for older persons those who were on treatment for Non-Communicable Diseases. Compliance and adherence to health measures such as respiratory etiquette, and social distancing among older persons were a great challenge. In prioritizing target populations for vaccination against COVID-19 older persons were given priority and a home-based vaccination campaign was launched for the bed ridden and needy older persons in the community. Vaccine hesitancy, lack of social engagement and reduced quality of life, and economic hardships are some of the challenges Sri Lanka is facing with the ongoing pandemic. Strengthening of the multi-sectoral collaborating services was maintained to continue the well-being of the older persons including assisting with the financial hardships of older persons. Strengthening the community level of care for older persons through reforming the grass root level health services, using effective communication strategies for advocacy, strengthening the home-based care services for older persons, and reorientation of hospital-based clinic services are some of the recommendations that can be proposed. Sri Lanka is looking forward to implementing many strategies during the pandemic for the betterment of our older persons to face the pandemic.