Juhariah's Story: From Fear and Tears in an Elderly Home to Active Participation

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Juhariah (73) said she cried and felt fearful when she first moved into the Panti Sosial Tresna Werdha Budi Mulia 2 (PSTW BM2) in Cengkareng, West Jakarta. However, after two years at the Jakarta Provincial Government-run elderly home, she is now actively participating in various activities with other residents.

“It was just unfamiliar. I cried, felt sad, that sort of thing. I just sat in front at first,” she told Kompas.com during an interview at PSTW BM2 in Cengkareng on Thursday, 28 May 2026.

Before being taken to the social home, she stayed at a friend’s house after a family dispute.

“I had issues with my daughter-in-law, so I stayed at a friend’s house. My friend said, ‘Aunty, why don’t you stay at the home?’ I replied, ‘No, I’m scared’,” Juhariah said.

However, the next day, an ambulance came to pick her up for a social home in Cipayung, East Jakarta. Some time later, she was transferred to PSTW BM2 in Cengkareng.

When asked further about the conflict with her family, Juhariah declined to discuss it.

She only said the initial period at the home was difficult.

“At first, I was crying and feeling sad,” she said.

“I didn’t understand anything. I didn’t know the ins and outs of the home. I’d never heard of anyone entering such places before, as it wasn’t common in the past. So I never heard about it,” she added.

Gradually, she grew comfortable with life at the social home. She said the numerous activities and friendships helped her adapt to her new life.

“It took about a year to feel at ease. I joined exercises, all sorts of activities, and over time, I got used to it,” she said.

Now, Juhariah regularly attends religious readings, yasinan sessions, exercises, batik-making, and craft activities. She said she particularly enjoys the weekly batik-making sessions.