Growing old should not mean losing independence and dignity.<\/p>\n
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Member of Commission VIII of the Indonesian House\nof Representatives (DPR RI), Hetifah Sjaeyudian, stated the need for a\nmore comprehensive protection system for the elderly, ranging from\nhealth to social aspects, in response to the challenges of managing\nelderly people in displacement camps following the earthquake in East\nNusa Tenggara (NTT).<\/p>\n
Citing data from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), 94\nresidents who died while in displacement camps were dominated by\nvulnerable groups, particularly the elderly with chronic illnesses such\nas stroke and diabetes mellitus.<\/p>\n
Hetifah explained that they were not victims who died due to direct\nphysical trauma from the earthquake.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis reminds us that the elderly require special attention. In\ndisplacement camps, some must take medication every day, require\nassistance to walk, have chronic illnesses, or are unable to communicate\ntheir own needs. In such conditions, losing medication or the\ninterruption of routine care can have fatal consequences,\u201d she said in\nJakarta on Saturday.<\/p>\n
In daily life, many elderly people face declining health, limited\nmobility, reduced income, difficulties in accessing public services, as\nwell as loneliness and loss of social support.<\/p>\n
\u201cGrowing old should not mean losing independence and dignity. They\nare our parents, our teachers, and the generation that helped build the\nfamilies and societies we enjoy today. When their physical abilities\ndecline, the state and society must be increasingly present,\u201d she\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Hetifah appreciated several local governments that have begun\ndeveloping elderly-friendly policies. DKI Jakarta, for example, has\nprovided support for the elderly through social assistance and ease of\naccess to public transport.<\/p>\n
However, according to Hetifah, cash assistance, subsidies, and\ntransport convenience alone are not enough.<\/p>\n
She explained that during a specific working visit by Commission VIII\nof the DPR RI to the Pangudi Luhur Integrated Centre in Bekasi, she\nwitnessed another side of services for vulnerable groups, including the\nelderly.<\/p>\n
At this facility, health services, therapy, social rehabilitation,\nassistance, and empowerment are provided in an integrated manner.<\/p>\n
In her view, such an approach needs to be expanded, as elderly issues\ndo not only arise during disasters.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to appreciate all efforts. However, the needs of the elderly\nare much broader. We need to consider how they can obtain continuous\nhealth check-ups and medication, accessible public spaces, long-term\ncare services, assistance for elderly people living alone, opportunities\nto remain active and productive, as well as special protection during\ndisasters, and also when performing the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages,\u201d she\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Hetifah assessed that the issue of ageing must begin to be placed as\na long-term development agenda. Indonesia has entered the ageing\npopulation phase since 2021, when the proportion of the elderly exceeded\n10 per cent of the population. By 2045, the number of elderly people is\nprojected to reach approximately 20 per cent of the Indonesian\npopulation.<\/p>\n
Therefore, she is pushing for an update to Law Number 13 of 1998\nconcerning the Welfare of the Elderly to ensure it can address\ndemographic changes and the needs of the elderly today.<\/p>\n
\u201cAn elderly-friendly Indonesia is an Indonesia that ensures a person\nremains respected, protected, healthy, and has the space to be empowered\ninto old age,\u201d said Hetifah.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/lawmaker-pushes-for-the-development-of-a-comprehensive-elderly-protection-system-1789794053", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }