Abstract
The purpose of this study is to illuminate the inequitable social and healthcare vulnerability of older people in Bangladesh. Conventional care theories have been developed in developed countries, where the impact of income on care has received scant investigation, particularly in Low- and Middle-Income Countries. This study utilises the ‘asset vulnerability framework’ developed by Caroline Moser (1998) to examine the types of vulnerabilities that older people in Bangladesh often face and their coping strategies. The extant literature demonstrates that Bangladesh is experiencing a rapid increase in its ageing population, a demographic shift that will require substantial government expenditure. The dynamic demographic and social changes that have transformed family structures and concepts, as well as migration from rural areas to cities and abroad, have rendered traditional family care practices unsustainable. This has resulted in increased vulnerability among specific demographic groups, notably older adults, women, widows, and individuals with physical disabilities and economic disadvantage. These groups frequently lack access to adequate care and support. In order to address the phenomena under investigation, this study has collected empirical interview data from 44 older people in Bangladesh in July 2021. Thematic content analysis was employed to analyse the empirical data. The study’s key findings indicate that, there is an absence of specific healthcare provision or institutional care homes available for older people. The majority of economically disadvantaged older people receive minimal healthcare services from the public health sector and are excluded from private healthcare due to the high cost of healthcare for individuals.
Presenters
Md. Sher E KhodaPost-doctoral Researcher, Social Sciences, University of Jyvaskyla, Finland
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Public Policy and Public Perspectives on Aging
KEYWORDS
AGEING, CARE, ASSET VULNERABILITY, BANGLADESH
