Indonesia is entering an ageing population phase, making the need for\na social and economic environment that is friendly to the elderly\nincreasingly important. The government is encouraging a paradigm shift\nso that the elderly are not only seen as recipients of assistance, but\nremain an active, healthy, independent group that plays a role in\ndevelopment.<\/p>\n
Secretary of the Ministry of Population and Family Development and\nPrincipal Secretary of BKKBN Budi Setiyono said the change in\ndemographic structure needs to be followed by policies that place the\nelderly as subjects of development. According to Budi, the elderly group\nhas experience and contributions that can continue to be utilised in\nsocial life. Therefore, family and community development needs to\nprovide an environment that allows the elderly to remain active and\ncontribute according to their respective abilities.<\/p>\n
This commitment is demonstrated through the involvement of dozens of\nelderly people as honoured guests in the 81st anniversary ceremony of\nIndonesian independence to be held at the Ministry of Population and\nFamily Development\/BKKBN office in East Jakarta on Monday (17\/8\/2026).\nThe activity is part of the SIDAYA (Empowered Elderly) programme, which\nencourages the elderly to remain active and empowered in community\nlife.<\/p>\n
Budi said the involvement of the elderly in the independence moment\nalso carries the meaning of honouring the generation that has\ncontributed to the nation while strengthening intergenerational\nrelations. \u2018The involvement of the elderly in the sacred moment of\nindependence has strategic meaning, namely giving respect to the seniors\nwho throughout their lives have certainly contributed greatly to the\nnation and state,\u2019 Budi said in a press release on Sunday\n(16\/8\/2026).<\/p>\n
According to him, the presence of the elderly in the activity can\nalso serve as a space to transmit experience and national values to the\nyounger generation. \u2018The presence of the nation\u2019s elders at the ceremony\nground is expected to become a historical bridge between generations to\ntransfer the values of nationalism to the younger generation,\u2019 Budi\nsaid.<\/p>\n
According to Budi, the SIDAYA programme is directed at encouraging\nthe elderly to remain healthy, independent and empowered so that they do\nnot solely depend on family or government support. This paradigm shift\nis also related to Indonesia\u2019s readiness to face the economic impact of\nthe increasing number of elderly people. The need for health services,\nproducts, services, activity spaces, as well as employment and business\nopportunities for the elderly group has the potential to shape a silver\neconomy.<\/p>\n
Therefore, building an elderly-friendly ecosystem needs to involve\nthe government, society and the private sector. An environment that\nsupports elderly activity is one of the important factors so that\nincreased life expectancy can be accompanied by a better quality of\nlife.<\/p>\n
In carrying out the ceremony, the Ministry of Population and Family\nDevelopment\/BKKBN prepared elderly-friendly facilities, including shaded\nareas, seating, special assistants, emergency medical facilities and\nambulances. This step supports the creation of an environment that\nallows the elderly to remain involved in social activities safely and\ncomfortably. In the long term, this approach is expected to support\nIndonesia\u2019s readiness to face changes in population structure while\nopening space for the growth of the silver economy.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/facing-ageing-population-ministry-encourages-elderly-to-remain-productive-1786888311", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }