The increasing number of elderly residents is driving the need for a\nchange in approach regarding elderly services, moving from being mere\nrecipients of aid to citizens who retain rights and opportunities for\nparticipation. This paradigm shift is one of the key issues being\npromoted in the discussions regarding the Elderly Welfare Bill.<\/p>\n
Results from the 2025 Intercensal Population Survey (SUPAS) show that\nthe proportion of the population aged 60 and above has reached 11.97 per\ncent. Consequently, Indonesia has entered the ageing population\nphase.<\/p>\n
I Ketut Kariyasa Adnyana, a member of the Indonesian House of\nRepresentatives\u2019 Legislative Body (Baleg), stated that the growth in the\nelderly population must be accompanied by a policy system capable of\naddressing their needs more comprehensively.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need a strong and comprehensive policy system to ensure that the\nelderly can spend their old age in a healthy, safe, and dignified\nmanner,\u201d Kariyasa said in a statement on Wednesday (30\/09\/2026).<\/p>\n
According to Kariyasa, the discussion of the Elderly Welfare Bill\nshould serve as a momentum to change the perspective towards the elderly\ngroup. Services should not only be directed towards social assistance\nfor the underprivileged elderly.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe elderly are not merely objects that must be assisted, but\ncitizens who possess rights, dignity, potential, and the opportunity to\ncontinue participating in social life,\u201d Kariyasa remarked.<\/p>\n
Policy changes are deemed increasingly important as the elderly\npopulation is projected to continue rising. BPS (Statistics Indonesia)\nprojections show that by 2045, the elderly population could reach\napproximately 20 per cent of the total population, or one in five\nIndonesians.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf the number of elderly people continues to grow, then the state\nmust prepare the system starting now. We must not wait until the elderly\npopulation is very large and their service needs have become\nincreasingly complex before building policies,\u201d said Kariyasa.<\/p>\n
Kariyasa also highlighted the need to evaluate the classification of\n\u2018potential\u2019 and \u2018non-potential\u2019 elderly. In his view, employment status\nor economic ability cannot be the sole measure in determining the\nservice needs of the elderly.<\/p>\n
The condition of every elderly individual can differ. An elderly\nperson who is still working may be in a low-income economic condition,\nwhile an unemployed elderly person may remain independent. Socially\nactive elderly individuals may still require specific healthcare or care\nservices.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe approach to the elderly must look at their needs holistically.\nWe must ensure that no one loses access to services simply because they\nare categorised based on their ability to work or their economic\ncondition,\u201d Kariyasa added.<\/p>\n
Therefore, Kariyasa believes that the increase in the elderly\npopulation needs to be anticipated through long-term policies\nencompassing services, protection, and opportunities for the elderly to\nremain active in social life.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are preparing Indonesia for 2045. If today nearly 35 million of\nour population is aged 60 and above and that number will continue to\nincrease, then policies for the elderly must be prepared starting now,\u201d\nconcluded Kariyasa.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/indonesia-enters-ageing-population-era-elderly-policies-need-strengthening-1790758759", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }