EXPLORING OCCUPATIONAL CHALLENGES OF CAREGIVERS IN ELDERLY CARE FACILITIES IN SRI LANKA

Abstract

Sri Lanka, a South Asian nation with a rapidly aging population, has witnessed a significant rise in elderly care homes. Limited research has focused on the caregivers who play a vital role in these institutions. According to the National Secretariat for Elders (2024), Colombo District hosts the highest concentration of elderly homes, representing both urban and rural characteristics, thereby offering a unique setting to explore caregiver challenges. This qualitative study employed purposive sampling to select participants from 86 elderly homes in Colombo. Homes with only male or female residents were excluded, leaving 18 homes with at least 10 adults eligible for study. From these, 60 caregivers with more than one year of experience were purposively selected, ensuring diversity in gender and professional roles, including direct care staff, personal care workers, and maintenance staff. Such variation enhanced the reliability and relevance of the findings. Data were collected through 60 semi-structured interviews. The analysis revealed five key themes of caregiver challenges. First, caregivers experienced mental and emotional distress, including secondary trauma and exhaustion. Second, limited resources and inadequate training in modern elder care methods restricted service quality. Third, low wages and poor professional recognition resulted in financial strain and diminished social acceptance. Fourth, weak institutional management and insufficient support highlighted issues of understaffing and lack of managerial backing. Finally, sociocultural pressures, such as negative societal attitudes towards elder care, compounded the burden. Although these problems were present across both urban and rural contexts, their severity varied. The study concludes that caregivers in Sri Lanka face interrelated challenges that directly impact their well-being and service delivery. To address this, the study recommends national training and certification programs, mental health support services, fair wage structures, management reforms, and public awareness initiatives. These measures are essential to strengthen caregiver well- being and improve elder care quality.