Abstract:
The popula*on of Sri Lanka is rapidly ag-
ing, and there is a growing demand for
healthcare professionals skilled in older
adult’s care. The CAPAGE project “Promot-
ing academic and professional excellence
in health care to meet the challenges of ag-
ing in Sri Lanka” is a transna*onal Euro-
pean Union co-funded project to enhance
professional competences of health care
professionals. The main objec*ve of this
study is to create a framework of core com-
petences for physiotherapists and nurses
working with older adults in Sri Lanka.
Based on a recent literature review and a
focus group analysis with experts, a com-
petences framework will iden*fy
knowledge and skill-based competences
required for health care professionals, spe-
cifically for physiotherapists and nurses,
working with elderly. Main competences
iden*fied were: high-quality standards and
team leadership (leader/expert); pa*ent-
centered prac*ce, effec*ve communica-
*on (communicator); interprofessional ef-
fec*ve team collabora*on and shared deci-
sion-making process (collaborator); coor-
dina*on of care and healthcare manage-
ment (organizer); health promo*on, well-
ness and well-being (health and welfare
advocate); evidence-based prac*ce and
lifelong learning and con*nuous profes-
sional development (scholar); professional
and ethical standards and mul*-dimen-
sional approach and best prac*ces (profes-
sional). This framework on competences
can enable to update and improve
knowledge, know-how, skills and mainly
the conceptual approach in care and man-
agement of older adults, considering specific socio-economic and cultural as-
pects of Sri Lanka.
