Elderly Care Programme

Serendip Children’s Home broadened its focus from childcare to include elder care in 2009 after witnessing the devastating impact of the war on the elderly population in northern Sri Lanka.

Nearly two decades later, the economic crisis of 2021 has exacerbated the plight of the elderly, making our work more critical than ever. This vulnerable group has been disproportionately affected by soaring food, medicine, and transportation costs.

Access to healthcare for Sri Lankan seniors remains a significant challenge. Despite available services, the elderly often encounter barriers such as inadequate infrastructure, lengthy wait times, and high out-of-pocket medical expenses. Chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and arthritis are widespread among this population, necessitating ongoing care.

Traditional family support systems for the elderly are also eroding due to societal changes and urbanisation.

Our Elderly Care Programme is dedicated to senior citizens living in extreme poverty without family support. We provide essential assistance, including home deliveries of dry food rations to elderly residents in northern Sri Lanka. Additionally, we facilitate transportation to local clinics for medical check-ups and assist with purchasing necessary medications.

If you are interested in supporting the Elderly Care Programme, visit our Get Involved page to find out how you can donate.

Our Impact

Dry Food Rations

Our team delivers dry food such as rice, dhal and other pulses to the elderly living in poverty in Mullaitivu.

Assisted Clinic Visits

We provided transport assistance to the elderly for their medical check-ups at nearby clinics.

Purchasing Prescribed Medication

If prescribed medication at the clinic, which the beneficiary cannot afford, we will cover the medication cost.

Regular Home Visits

The elderly look forward to our team’s regular visits for comfort from isolation.

UN Sustainable Development Goals

No Poverty

We are combating increasing poverty rates by providing the elderly from impoverished backgrounds with food and medicines to ensure they have access to the medical care they desperately need

Zero Hunger

By providing dry rations such as rice, dhal and other pulses we ensure that the elderly living in poverty have access to food and helping them fight starvation.

Good Health and Well-being

With the dry food we deliver and the medical support we give them for assisted medical check-ups and medications purchased, we ensure they have access to good health and well-being to live with dignity in their senior years.

Reduced Inequalities

The elderly living in poverty are one of the most vulnerable groups in Sri Lanka. By providing dry food rations and medicines, we bridge the gap between the inequalities they experience due to poverty and old age.

Testimonials

I’m 86 and have many old age ailments. I used to go to bed hungry and wake up hungry, with no one to support me. I worked hard as a daily-wage labourer in my younger days, but now I have nothing. Since you started bringing me dry food, my life has changed—I’m eating properly and no longer go to bed with an empty stomach. I wouldn’t wish my past struggles on anyone.

- Mrs. S. Theivanai

Life has been full of pain and loss, and I often wonder if I will ever see joy again. But when you come each month with your help, it’s the one thing I look forward to. I’m grateful for your kindness, for bringing me food, and for the moments we share when you visit. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.