Plan of Action for Elderly launched<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The National Plan of Action for the Elderly was
\nlaunched here on Tuesday with the aim of improving the welfare of
\nthe older population of Indonesia, the total of which in five
\ndecades is expected to be almost equal to those under 24-years-
\nold.<\/p>\n
The Plan of Action, formulated jointly by the Ministry of
\nManpower and Transmigration, the United Nations Fund for
\nPopulation Activities (UNFPA) and other experts, outlines seven
\nbroad strategies to deal with the elderly and also make them more
\nproductive.<\/p>\n
The strategy includes establishing and strengthening
\ninstitutions that take care of elderly people by incorporating
\nvarious courses, training and schooling to increase the human
\nresource quality of the elderly.<\/p>\n
Attention would also be given to the quality of life of the
\nelderly by finding ways and means for them to increase their
\nsocial function.<\/p>\n
Improving the treatment of abandoned and troubled older people
\nthrough mapping, a social security net and better health services
\nwas also highlighted along with information dissemination to
\nenhance family and society support for elderly people.<\/p>\n
The Minister's Secretary Wibowo told journalists here that the
\nplan was drafted due to the predicted increase of the elderly in
\ncomparison to the total population.<\/p>\n
But he pointed out that the Plan of Action only provides a
\npolicy on the macro level, not for direct implementation.<\/p>\n
\"We leave it up to each department, regional administration
\nand society in general as to how to carry out the program,\"
\nWibowo said.<\/p>\n
The United Nations defines the elderly as those aged above 65
\nyears-old in developed countries and above 60 years-old in the
\ndeveloping countries.<\/p>\n
\"The increasing life expectancy has resulted in an increase in
\nthe number of older people in Indonesia,\" Wibowo said.<\/p>\n
UNFPA data notes that Indonesian life expectancy has increased
\nfrom about 54 years for women and 51 years for men in 1975-1980
\nto approximately 67 years and 63 years in 1995-2000.<\/p>\n
These figures are predicted to rise further to around 79 and
\n75 years-old fifty years from now.<\/p>\n
The UNFPA estimates that there are presently about 20 million
\nelderly people here, or 8 percent of the total population. The
\ntotal number is expected to double by 2030 and triple by 2050.<\/p>\n
By 2050, the number of elderly people in Indonesia will be
\nalmost equal to the total number of younger people aged five to
\n24 years-old.<\/p>\n
\"The elderly may not cause problems now but within five to 10
\nyears, as their numbers increase, we have to think about a
\nsupport mechanism and how to empower them so they won't become a
\nburden,\" Wibowo said.<\/p>\n
\"Problems may arise in providing the elderly with jobs as
\nunemployment numbers are still high. The limited budget is also
\nanother problem. But there must be some way to avoid them from
\nbecoming a burden and they can still be empowered,\" he added.
\n(hdn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/plan-of-action-for-elderly-launched-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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