Aging & Social Change: Ninth Interdisciplinary Conference

Abstract

The rapid pace of the growth of elderly population in Bangladesh creates the necessity of serving them in a proper way more than ever. Health care aspects of elderly are crucial in this regard which can ensure better contribution of aging population to the overall development of the country through bettering their potentiality even at the later stage of life. In the present context of Bangladesh, providing wider and more rapid access to health care services demands modifications of existing health care structure of the country. Primary health care services, being the nearest facility for health care services, have certain rooms for integrating elderly-focused amenities. This study was qualitative in nature. In-depth interviews were conducted with service seekers (elderly aged above 60), service providers from different level, policy planners and ageing issue specialists. Content analysis was conducted and different themes emerged from the analysis. This study explored the policy level scope of integrating elderly health care into primary health care services. Where proper policy addresses this issue through perception building of policy level, assessment of elderly’s needs, educating health service providers were found to be of crucial importance. Different infrastructural modifications also were found to be necessary to take place for integration such as ensured supply of drugs, specialized transportation facilities for elderly, and presence of geriatric health care providers. Besides, various demand side scopes also were explored such as development of community awareness, perception building of elderly about primary health care centers, development of intergenerational communication etc.