Retreat for senior citizens in Sreemangal, Sylhet

Abstract

It is expected that Bangladesh, in addition to four other countries in the Asian region, will be home to majority of the elderly population of the world within the next three decades. Likewise, decrease in mortality rate and an increase in life expectancy rate further reinforces the current and projected ageing population of this country. However, existing challenges faced by the elderly community in Bangladesh prove to be a hindrance in their wellbeing. Given the changes taking place in lifestyle, family patterns and working environment, there is a crucial requirement for services specifically targeted towards the elderly population - that includes care and health services. Thus in light of the current conditions face by the elderly population of Bangladesh, an attempt has been made to alleviate the situation by constructing a retreat for senior citizens located in the outskirts of Sreemangal in Sylhet division. The project, under the guidance of the Ministry of Social Welfare, aims to provide residential, recreational healthcare and other ancillary services to the elderly population of Bangladesh. Through successful implementation of this project, it is expected that the complex would assist in remedying the current lack of specialized facilities for the elderlies as well as provide a retreat to senior citizens who are unable to care for themselves in the long run.