Aging in Bangladesh: A Wake-Up Call for Elderly Care Solutions

Bangladesh has been experiencing a rapid demographic shift from the younger population to older adults, with the older adults facing significant challenges due to the absence of residential and formal home care models. This perspective aimed to evaluate the status of residential and formal home care models and propose potential strategies to improve elderly care in Bangladesh.

This perspective utilized a narrative review approach to search existing literature on elderly care in Bangladesh on PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science. The perspective reviewed and presented the status of elderly care and identified gaps in residential and formal home care infrastructure by analyzing existing literature.

In Bangladesh, there was no evidence found that any authority had ever initiated or evaluated residential and formal home care programs, showing systematic neglect that resulted in the suffering of older adults. The collapse of the traditional informal family care model, fueled by urban migration and shifting socioeconomic dynamics, has further isolated older adults, leaving them with considerable unmet care needs. The issue is being worsened by a high prevalence of chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease, as well as the collective inability to meet the growing demand for elderly care. Furthermore, limited access to healthcare services, particularly in rural areas, emphasized the urgent need for comprehensive elderly care models in Bangladesh.

The proposed strategies involve developing residential care facilities, probably on a small scale, and integrating formal home care services in Bangladesh. However, conducting preliminary investigations is essential, including investigating the model to be implemented, training caregivers, and establishing financial support programs and regulatory frameworks. Thus, the government and private sector organizations should collaborate to address these challenges of older adults in Bangladesh.