Analyses and projections of households, living arrangements and home-based care needs for disabled older adults in Sri Lanka, 2012–2060

Our data analyses show that female older adults in Sri Lanka face significant disadvantages in disability status compared to their male counterparts. However, their socioeconomic statuses are generally lower than their male counterparts. This is a critical issue, and it is essential for the government and society to ensure that old-age insurance and service programs benefit older women and men equally. Based on empirical data analyses, we projected households, living arrangements, and home-based care needs for disabled older adults in Sri Lanka for the period 2012–2060, using the internationally recognized ProFamy extended cohort-component method/software and conventionally available data. Our projections indicate that home-based care needs for older adults in Sri Lanka will increase substantially due to the inevitable trends of rapid population aging and the sharp rise in the oldest-old population (aged 80+). Consequently, policy reforms and socioeconomic planning are urgently needed to address the significant challenges posed by these large and rapid increases in care needs. Our projections also show that disabled unmarried elders living alone will increase at a faster rate than those disabled unmarried elders living with children. We suggest that adult children may be encouraged to live with or near their aging parents. Co-residence or proximity can reduce home-based care expenditures, improve the well-being and health of elderly parents, and enable them to care for their grandchildren, resulting in “win-win” outcomes.