Ageing in Indonesia – Health Status and Challenges for the Future

Abstract

Ageing and problems concerning the aged were until recently the domain of developed countries, but they are now becoming an increasing and alarming reality in developing and underdeveloped countries such as Indonesia. Families and even the nation are facing many challenges relating to support for the elderly. This is because in the past developing policies, and caring for, the elderly were not major priorities of Government as the elderly represented a small percentage of Indonesia's population. One of the challenges impacting on the provision of care for the elderly is the lack of health service programs for the elderly who are living in their own homes. Health personnel shortages including community health nurses have been identified as a significant contributor to this health service problem. This paper will initially consider Indonesia's geography as a nation comprising many islands. It will then discuss the impact of a changing population profile and present an overview and critique of the current level of health services provided to promote wellbeing for the elderly.

Family Role in Decision Making of Health Seeking Behavior on Elderly in Tabanan Regency, Bali, Indonesia

“…The family acts as a support system that is the most important for parents in Indonesia. Elderly tend to stay with children and other family members [15]. This is also supported by statistical data in 2013 that showed the elderly in Indonesia mostly stayed with a family of three generations or so-called extended family.…”

Scoping the context of programs and services for maintaining wellness of older people in rural areas of Indonesia

“…Furthermore, it appears that programs and services actively supporting the welfare of older persons originate from the social sector, such as caring for the neglected or sick through nursing homes or elderly homes (Panti Sosial Tresna Werdha) (Kadar et al. ). There is lack of information about programs and services offered by the health sector.…”

“…Unlike developed countries where primary healthcare schemes are paying increasing attention to older persons and their needs, in developing countries such as Indonesia, primary health care remains largely focused on other groups, namely maternal and child health (United Nations 2008). Thus, although the Indonesian government has implemented a range of programs and services for the elderly to enhance health and well-being such as establishing age-friendly CH centres and providing health services in integrated health posts (Posyandu) for the elderly at village level (Kadar et al 2013), such implementation has not been a high priority for the Indonesian gov-ernment. Furthermore, it appears that programs and services actively supporting the welfare of older persons originate from the social sector, such as caring for the neglected or sick through nursing homes or elderly homes (Panti Sosial Tresna Werdha) (Kadar et al 2013).…”

“…Thus, although the Indonesian government has implemented a range of programs and services for the elderly to enhance health and well-being such as establishing age-friendly CH centres and providing health services in integrated health posts (Posyandu) for the elderly at village level (Kadar et al 2013), such implementation has not been a high priority for the Indonesian gov-ernment. Furthermore, it appears that programs and services actively supporting the welfare of older persons originate from the social sector, such as caring for the neglected or sick through nursing homes or elderly homes (Panti Sosial Tresna Werdha) (Kadar et al 2013). There is lack of information about programs and services offered by the health sector.…”

Profile of Handgrip Strength, Anthropometry, Nutritional Status and Activities of Daily Living Among Geriatrics at Karitas Nursing Home, Bandung

“…In 2012, 810 million people who were 60 years old or over accounted for 11.5% of the global population. 1 In Indonesia, population ageing has started to emerge as a distinct demographic feature and the proportion of elderly people, which remained around 6 percent during the period of 1950 to 1990, has now exceeded 8% and is projected to rise to 13 percent by 2025, and to 25 percent by 2050. This means that by 2050, one in four Indonesians would be classified as an elderly, compared to the current one in twelve.…”