Imran Pambudi, Director of Health Services for Vulnerable Groups at\nthe Ministry of Health, said here on Tuesday that the theme of this\nyear\u2019s commemoration is \u201cTogether for health. Stand with science.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said more than half of the provinces in Indonesia have entered the\nera of an aging population, with the proportion of elderly people\nexceeding 10 percent.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe elderly population ratio is expected to increase sharply, from\n11 percent in 2025 to 22.8 percent in 2050. The health conditions of the\nelderly in Indonesia show an increase in chronic diseases and\ndisabilities as they age,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAround 66 percent of respondents to the Indonesia Longitudinal Aging\nSurvey (ILAS) reported having multiple medical conditions, such as\ndigestive problems, hypertension, and cholesterol,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
The prevalence of symptoms requiring primary care services (PJP), he\nsaid, increased from 11.6 percent overall to 41.9 percent in the over-80\nage group.<\/p>\n
Data from the 2024 National Socioeconomic Survey (Susenas) show that\nthe majority of elderly people, or 36 percent of them, live in\nhouseholds, or even live with three generations in their family.<\/p>\n
Therefore, it is estimated that the caregivers for the elderly are\ngenerally their own families.<\/p>\n
The study of Transforming Care: Global Innovations in the Care\nEconomy in Australia confirms that the care economy is a large part of\nthe socio-economic structure that is often under-measured and\nunder-funded.<\/p>\n
Globally, the combined value of paid and unpaid care is estimated to\nbe around US$11 trillion per year, with unpaid care equivalent to around\n9 percent of global GDP and total unpaid care hours reaching 16.4\nbillion hours per day.<\/p>\n
In some countries, the care sector accounts for around 15 percent of\nthe workforce, yet median wages in this sector remain lower than the\nindustry average.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, working hours in the Health Care & Social Assistance\nsector have increased by 20.1 percent since 2016.<\/p>\n
This represents a rapidly growing workload without a proportional\nincrease in rewards and support.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome important lessons learned from this Australian study are that\nintegrating services through multidisciplinary teams and a\ncustomer-centered model reduces fragmentation and improves outcomes,\u201d he\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Home support programs are showing a surge in demand, with home care\nservice users increasing from around 71,900 in 2017 to 275,000 in 2024,\na 283 percent increase.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, reforms emphasizing rights-based quality standards\nstrengthen the accountability of service providers. These figures\nillustrate the urgency of investing in the workforce, training, and\nlong-term financing.<\/p>\n
Pambudi stated that Australia\u2019s experience offers several practical\nlessons that can be adapted. First, the service integration model\nreduces fragmentation and improves continuity of care.<\/p>\n
\u201cIndonesia can adapt this model by making community health centers\n(Puskesmas) and community health posts (Posyandu) for the elderly into\nintegration hubs that coordinate screening, referrals, and\nrehabilitation services,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The second is a preventive and early detection approach such as WHO\nICOPE and rapid screening tools that have been proven to help identify\nfunctional risks earlier.<\/p>\n
Implementing a simplified and contextualized version in primary care\nwill reduce hospitalizations and dependency.<\/p>\n
\u201cThird, Australia is emphasizing domestic workforce development\nthrough cross-sector training, micro-credentialing, and career pathways\n\u2013 a strategy relevant to addressing the projected shortage of care\nworkers in Indonesia,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Fourth, digitalization and data to strengthen coordination between\nproviders. Pambudi believes that Indonesia needs to accelerate the\ndevelopment of disaggregated databases and system interoperability.<\/p>\n
Fifth, long-term financing models and recognition of informal\ncaregivers are key to service sustainability.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen policies and practices are grounded in science, preventive\ninterventions, and early detection, person-centered care can prevent\nfunctional decline and prolong the independence of the elderly,\u201d Pambudi\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Related news: Indonesia to extend free meals program to elderly,\ndisabled in 2026<\/p>\n
Related news: Indonesia prioritizes pregnant women, toddlers in free\nmeal program<\/p>\n
Related news: Ministry asks families to ensure elderly comfort during\nEid<\/p>\n
Translator: Mecca Yumna Ning Prisie, Katriana<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/world-health-day-promotes-science-based-care-for-the-elderly-ministry-1775591504", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }