Who Will You Turn to When Sick? Bambang's Senior Life in a Care Home

Hundreds of elderly residents live at the PSTW BM2 Social Care Home in Cengkareng, West Jakarta. PSTW BM2, managed by the Jakarta Provincial Government, operates two separate locations: the main site in Cengkareng and another in Jelambar. A total of 435 elderly residents reside across both sites. “The total capacity is 435, with 335 at the Cengkareng site and 100 at Jelambar,” said Ahmad Taib, Head of the PSTW BM2 Social Services Unit, during a visit to the Cengkareng facility on Thursday, 28 May 2026. However, some elderly residents are admitted through family applications due to living alone or lacking companionship. Bambang Widodo, 64, a resident at PSTW BM2, has been living at the facility since 2024. He was admitted to hospital due to an asthma attack. “I was ill and had to be taken to hospital. With no family here, the home handled everything,” Bambang said during an interview at the facility on Thursday. He lived alone after his wife passed away in 2001, while his children now reside in other cities. “Some are in Bali, others in Palembang,” he said. “When outside, if you fall ill, you don’t know who to ask for help,” he added. Bambang now feels more comfortable at PSTW BM2, citing companionship and daily activities. “Here, we support each other. We fill our time with activities—I practice chess or other activities,” he explained.