Slamet Finds Comfort and Peace in Old Age After 20 Years in Care Home

JAKARTA - A bright morning at PSTW BM4 (Panti Sosial Tresna Werdha Budi Mulia 4) in Ciracas, East Jakarta, on Friday (29 May 2026), began with a group exercise session attended by elderly residents.

In PSTW BM4’s courtyard, the elderly followed the instructor’s movements slowly, occasionally smiling as they moved their bodies despite their advancing years.

One participant is Slamet (80), a Central Java native who has lived at PSTW BM4 for 20 years.

He said he migrated to Jakarta for work but faced unstable livelihoods, eventually leading to homelessness.

“I migrated to Jakarta for work, but luck wasn’t on my side. Sometimes there’s work, sometimes not. When there wasn’t, we’d eat at warteg and get picked up by Satpol PP,” Slamet said during the interview at PSTW BM4 on Friday.

For two decades, Slamet has had no contact with his family.

Before moving to Jakarta, he left behind a wife and three children in Magelang, Central Java.

“I don’t know how they are, and it’s been a long time without communication,” he said.

Despite this, Slamet feels comfortable living at PSTW BM4. For him, it’s not just a residence but a place to spend his old age with peers.

“It’s comfortable here. For those without means, everything is provided — three meals a day, religious activities, and cultural performances,” Slamet explained.

He added that residents often participate in cultural shows, from dancing to singing.

“Yes, it’s usually on Wednesday, I think. Every day has different activities, and there are also health checks,” Slamet said.

For Slamet, healthcare services are among the most beneficial facilities for the elderly at PSTW BM4.