State Commitment Crucial to Improving Quality of Elderly Care

BALI – The Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas’ Director of Poverty Alleviation and Community Empowerment Tirta Sutedjo highlighted the importance of social protection for the elderly and Indonesia's commitment to continuously improving social protection in line with the growing population of older adults. 

"Indonesia has set an agenda for economic transformation to achieve the Golden Indonesia 2045 Vision, and the issue of social protection is included in the 2025-2045 National Long-Term Development Plan (RPJPN), which covers the enhancement of social protection as the population ages. Currently, social protection in Indonesia covers individuals aged 58 and older, and it will continue to be strengthened to ensure social and economic well-being," Tirta stated at the 2024 Asia-Pacific Regional Conference (APRC) on Population Ageing during the "Regional Innovation in Home and Community Care to Support Successful Ageing in Place" session on Wednesday (9/11).

Indonesia has developed and launched the 2025-2045 Care Economy Roadmap to support social protection programs for the elderly and care-related employment within the 2025-2029 National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN). This program includes developing funding schemes, enhancing community protection capacity, and safeguarding workers in both formal and informal sectors. 

Director Tirta also emphasized that social protection for the elderly should focus on their physical, mental, and emotional well-being, particularly for vulnerable groups, and on their active participation in society. Increasing participation is crucial to ensure that elderly programs can improve mental and emotional well-being, promote physical health, encourage active involvement in society, and reduce marginalization.

Furthermore, in front of conference delegates from Asia-Pacific countries, Director Tirta underscored another important step reflecting Indonesia's commitment to protecting the lives of the elderly, hoping it serves as a shared learning experience. In 2021, Indonesia issued Presidential Regulation No. 88/2021 on the National Strategy for Ageing, which forms the basis for various elderly-related policies and programs. 

"I hope that from this event, we can all gain valuable insights to improve and enhance the quality of policies in each of our countries related to elderly protection," concluded Director Tirta.