Dr Md. Asadul Islam and Dr Ariful Islam :
A recent report by HelpAge International, a leading advocate for elderly rights globally, has cast a shadow over the care provided in Bangladeshi old age homes.
The report highlights the urgent need for stricter regulations and improved monitoring of these facilities to ensure the well-being of the country’s senior citizens.
HelpAge International emphasizes the critical need for better standards, echoing similar worries expressed by the World Health Organization (WHO) regarding the financial exploitation of elders in care facilities worldwide.
Bangladesh is grappling with a fast-growing elderly population. Although only 5.83 per cent of the population currently falls into this category, the number is increasing by 2.58 per cent each year.
However, a survey showed that 88 per cent of these elderly people in Bangladesh have some children living outside of the country.
As a result, parents often have limited contact with their children, leaving most of them without any family members or relatives to care for.
As a result, they occasionally find themselves compelled to live permanently in an elderly home. This trend is surging and straining the existing elderly homes, which are mainly run by private entrepreneurs, charities, NGOs and the government.
Since the demand for care homes has been increasing every year, the number of privately run elderly homes is increasing.
However, the founders of these businesses often ignore the health and mental issues of elderly people and engage in unethical practices. Moreover, the employees working in these organisations lack the knowledge and skills to efficiently take care of elderly people, as they do not receive any formal training.
Moreover, there is a lack of certified trainers to train employees working in elderly homes in Bangladesh. As a result, we urgently need to develop both trainers and employees for elderly homes.
It is important to understand that elderly care homes are not simply businesses; they’re bastions of empathy and moral responsibility. These businesses cater to a generation most vulnerable to loneliness, illness, and a loss of independence.
Unfortunately, many elderly care models and systems are financially and environmentally unsustainable, relying on public funding, donations, or subsidies that are insufficient or uncertain.
For example, a senior may receive subsidised home care, but the subsidy may be cut or reduced due to budget constraints or policy changes. One of the?main challenges facing?the elderly care sector is how to ensure its sustainability in the face of rising demand, limited resources, and changing preferences among the older population.
These organisations often lack a sustainable business model and a proper financial plan, making it challenging for them to operate efficiently and effectively in the long run.
Therefore, there is a burning need for a coordinated national plan to provide healthcare, financial assistance, and social services for this vulnerable population in a sustainable way.
Hence, we provide some recommendations for Bangladeshi care homes to be ethical, empathic and sustainable.
Firstly, care homes in Bangladesh should be culturally responsible. Care home businesses should offer high-quality services that are in line with our country’s deeply rooted customs.
Thus, employees will be motivated to prioritise understanding and respecting traditions, fostering a sense of belonging and comfort for elderly residents.
Employees’ behaviour and way of working should align with our local traditions, which will give a feeling of love and empathy to the elderly. Additionally, there should be meals prepared for the various elderly residents using local ingredients.
Moreover, a dedicated space for prayer and meditation should prioritise religious observances. Furthermore, group prayer sessions could also be facilitated for those who wish to participate. This focus on cultural sensitivity not only reduces feelings of isolation but also creates a warm and familiar environment for Bangladeshi elders.
Secondly, sustainability orientation should be emphasised in care home businesses where energy-efficient appliances and practices should be implemented, further minimising the environmental impact. Food scraps and organic waste can be transformed into nutrient-rich compost, which can then be used to nurture the on-site garden, creating a closed-loop system that will eventually bring joy to residents.
Thirdly, we should facilitate diversified funding opportunities for both current and future care home entrepreneurs. Subsidised loans from the government and private banks to start care home businesses maintaining ethics, empathy and sustainability can motivate future entrepreneurs to come forward.
Moreover, we should develop partnerships with international NGOs to leverage their expertise for fundraising events, thereby reaching out to new potential donors.
Fourth, care homes should implement integrated training programs to develop both trainers and employees. Because care home businesses are still in their early stages in Bangladesh, there is a shortage of expert trainers.
As a result, the government must come forward to develop integrated training programmes for both trainers and employees in elderly care homes.
There should be a zero-tolerance policy for any form of neglect or abuse, and regular evaluations ensure the meeting of quality standards.
Fifthly, care home entrepreneurs should offer some activities for elderly people to perform. For example, picture workshops where residents teach traditional crafts, preserving heritage and generating income through sales.
Moreover, on-site gardening opportunities may offer residents a chance to connect with nature, learn new skills, and contribute to spending time without monotony.
Finally, entrepreneurs may share the satisfaction stories of residents and initiatives to save the environment with potential donors and loan providers to gain donors and loans, respectively.
In truth, care home businesses should prioritise ethical care practices, ensuring that every resident is treated with dignity and respect.
Transparency is the key to families kept informed and involved in care decisions. These holistic approaches may foster a safe and supportive care home environment where Bangladeshi elders can thrive, not just survive.
(Dr Asadul is Senior Lecturer and Dr Ariful is Lecturer, Sunway Business School, Sunway University, Malaysia)