Better that they are not alone

Better that they are not alone

The number of elderly retirees in Indonesia is growing rapidly as
average life expectancy continues to improve, from 43 years in
the 1960s to over 64 years today. That demographic reality plus
the changing of the family definition from extended families to
only nuclear ones have made it necessary for many senior citizens
to be put in nursing homes; sometimes their choice, sometimes
that of their relatives. The Jakarta Post talked to some people
about the idea of sending their parents to a nursing home.

Taskia, 26, is an employee of a foreign firm on Jl. Thamrin,
Central Jakarta. She resides with her family in Menteng, also in
Central Jakarta:

I plan to send my parents to stay at a nursing home, but only
with their consent. If they refuse, I won't force them.

There are lots of benefits if I send them to a nursing home.
First, they will live with people of their same age so that they
can find friends to socialize with.

Second, most of nursing homes provide round-the-clock health
services. With the fact that old people are prone to falling and
suffering other health problems, it is much safer for them to
live with professionals who are ready to help them, rather than
alone at home.

Ujang, 17, is a street vendor selling food in Palmerah,
Central Jakarta. He lives nearby in a rented house with his
friends. His parents live with his older sister in Garut, West
Java:

I think it's best if we can take care of our own parents by
ourselves, because we know them so well, and we know exactly what
they need or want.

Taking care of them is also a way to show our respect for them
and a way to pay them back as our parents, who have taken care of
us since we were born.

I don't think sending our parents to a nursing home is bad ...
it's just not common in our culture. However, it's better if the
elderly are looked after by someone who really cares about them,
rather than being neglected because the children are too busy
with going about their daily routines.

-- The Jakarta Post