Plan of Action for Elderly launched
Plan of Action for Elderly launched
JAKARTA (JP): The National Plan of Action for the Elderly was
launched here on Tuesday with the aim of improving the welfare of
the older population of Indonesia, the total of which in five
decades is expected to be almost equal to those under 24-years-
old.
The Plan of Action, formulated jointly by the Ministry of
Manpower and Transmigration, the United Nations Fund for
Population Activities (UNFPA) and other experts, outlines seven
broad strategies to deal with the elderly and also make them more
productive.
The strategy includes establishing and strengthening
institutions that take care of elderly people by incorporating
various courses, training and schooling to increase the human
resource quality of the elderly.
Attention would also be given to the quality of life of the
elderly by finding ways and means for them to increase their
social function.
Improving the treatment of abandoned and troubled older people
through mapping, a social security net and better health services
was also highlighted along with information dissemination to
enhance family and society support for elderly people.
The Minister's Secretary Wibowo told journalists here that the
plan was drafted due to the predicted increase of the elderly in
comparison to the total population.
But he pointed out that the Plan of Action only provides a
policy on the macro level, not for direct implementation.
"We leave it up to each department, regional administration
and society in general as to how to carry out the program,"
Wibowo said.
The United Nations defines the elderly as those aged above 65
years-old in developed countries and above 60 years-old in the
developing countries.
"The increasing life expectancy has resulted in an increase in
the number of older people in Indonesia," Wibowo said.
UNFPA data notes that Indonesian life expectancy has increased
from about 54 years for women and 51 years for men in 1975-1980
to approximately 67 years and 63 years in 1995-2000.
These figures are predicted to rise further to around 79 and
75 years-old fifty years from now.
The UNFPA estimates that there are presently about 20 million
elderly people here, or 8 percent of the total population. The
total number is expected to double by 2030 and triple by 2050.
By 2050, the number of elderly people in Indonesia will be
almost equal to the total number of younger people aged five to
24 years-old.
"The elderly may not cause problems now but within five to 10
years, as their numbers increase, we have to think about a
support mechanism and how to empower them so they won't become a
burden," Wibowo said.
"Problems may arise in providing the elderly with jobs as
unemployment numbers are still high. The limited budget is also
another problem. But there must be some way to avoid them from
becoming a burden and they can still be empowered," he added.
(hdn)
JAKARTA (JP): The National Plan of Action for the Elderly was
launched here on Tuesday with the aim of improving the welfare of
the older population of Indonesia, the total of which in five
decades is expected to be almost equal to those under 24-years-
old.
The Plan of Action, formulated jointly by the Ministry of
Manpower and Transmigration, the United Nations Fund for
Population Activities (UNFPA) and other experts, outlines seven
broad strategies to deal with the elderly and also make them more
productive.
The strategy includes establishing and strengthening
institutions that take care of elderly people by incorporating
various courses, training and schooling to increase the human
resource quality of the elderly.
Attention would also be given to the quality of life of the
elderly by finding ways and means for them to increase their
social function.
Improving the treatment of abandoned and troubled older people
through mapping, a social security net and better health services
was also highlighted along with information dissemination to
enhance family and society support for elderly people.
The Minister's Secretary Wibowo told journalists here that the
plan was drafted due to the predicted increase of the elderly in
comparison to the total population.
But he pointed out that the Plan of Action only provides a
policy on the macro level, not for direct implementation.
"We leave it up to each department, regional administration
and society in general as to how to carry out the program,"
Wibowo said.
The United Nations defines the elderly as those aged above 65
years-old in developed countries and above 60 years-old in the
developing countries.
"The increasing life expectancy has resulted in an increase in
the number of older people in Indonesia," Wibowo said.
UNFPA data notes that Indonesian life expectancy has increased
from about 54 years for women and 51 years for men in 1975-1980
to approximately 67 years and 63 years in 1995-2000.
These figures are predicted to rise further to around 79 and
75 years-old fifty years from now.
The UNFPA estimates that there are presently about 20 million
elderly people here, or 8 percent of the total population. The
total number is expected to double by 2030 and triple by 2050.
By 2050, the number of elderly people in Indonesia will be
almost equal to the total number of younger people aged five to
24 years-old.
"The elderly may not cause problems now but within five to 10
years, as their numbers increase, we have to think about a
support mechanism and how to empower them so they won't become a
burden," Wibowo said.
"Problems may arise in providing the elderly with jobs as
unemployment numbers are still high. The limited budget is also
another problem. But there must be some way to avoid them from
becoming a burden and they can still be empowered," he added.
(hdn)