Govt calls for revival of extended-family values

JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Population Haryono Suyono has called on everybody to revive the positive values of the traditional extended family structure.

Addressing a symposium on the health of the elderly attended by over 100 medical experts here Saturday, Haryono said most modern nuclear families are unfamiliar with the benefits of extended families.

Included in the benefits is the strong support system usually provided by members of extended families consisting of at least three generations.

Haryono conceded that changes in values have taken place rapidly, affecting especially the elderly.

"Elderly people are becoming increasingly reluctant to mingle with modern families because of the lack of relationship between generations," said Haryono, who chairs the National Family Planning Board.

"Now, parents don't live with their adult or married children the way they used to," he said.

He pointed out that there are negative aspects to nuclear families. Among these are the fewer shared-experiences despite today's elderly -- with better health, educational levels and welfare -- usually still being capable of participating in many of the younger people's activities.

Indonesia defines elderly people as those over 60. The official retirement age in the civil service and many private companies is 55. Retirement age in the military is 48.

According to a University of Indonesia study, elderly people accounted for 5.5 percent of the population in 1990. The ratio is expected to grow to 7.4 percent in 2010, and by 2015 it is set to reach 10 percent: a staggering 24.4 million people.

President Soeharto launched National Day for the Elderly for the first time on May 29 this year, which marked the country's appreciation of its senior citizens. Soeharto put the responsibility of looking after the elderly on their children and family. He also vowed there would be no neglected parents in the country.

The one-day symposium, titled Toward a healthy and productive old age, was organized by Trisakti University's School of Medicine. Also present were Trisakti's rector Moedanton Moertedjo and the dean of the medical school, H.A. Prayitno.

Another speaker, psychiatrist Tony Setiabudhi from Trisakti University, discussed the common ailments usually suffered by the elderly, especially men.

He said cardiovascular problems topped the list, followed by digestion and respiration problems, and diabetes.

Tony suggested that elderly people change their lifestyle, by improving their diet, losing weight, exercising, and by not smoking. (ste)