91,000 elderly in need of care

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: The number of neglected senior citizens in 26 district and cities in the province has reached 91,000.

Head of the Social Welfare and Community Care section of the province HM. Sewang Thamal said about 50 percent of them had been given shelter in nursing homes.

Most of their families were ashamed to send them to a nursing home.

Sewang said the budget for social welfare, including care of neglected senior citizens in the province this year, was Rp 28 billion (US$3.4 million).

Most of the senior citizens in South Sulawesi lived in Luwu district, with 14,440 people, followed by Jeneponto district, with 9,902 people. -- Antara