HLUN Dharmasraya, Social Affairs Minister Calls on All Parties to Honor and Care for the Elderly

DHARMASRAYA (29 May 2023) - The 27th National Elderly Day (H LUN) celebration peaked on Monday (29/5). The series of festivities began in early May and culminated in a peak event held at the Dharmasraya Regent's Office on Punjung Island.

After attending the HLUN meeting, Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharini urged everyone to care for the elderly, regardless of generation. "I advise every party. Not only children, but all of us, are where we are now because of our parents. They may be unable to assist us right now, but that does not imply we regard them as a nuisance and do not wish to care for them," stated the Minister of Social Affairs during a press conference.

With this HLUN momentum, the Social Affairs Minister asks everyone to recognize and respect the services of parents who have cared for their children. "When we are born, we can't do anything; we can't even use the restroom on our own, let alone eat. Do not ignore them, whoever they are. Whatever we are, we are here because of them," the Minister stated.

The HLUN commemoration in Dharmasraya Regency, West Sumatra Province in 2023, takes the theme "Cared for Elderly, Dignified Indonesia". This district, which has a population of 228 thousand, was chosen as the host due to the high rate of unregistered weddings among the elderly.

The sequence of events for the 27th HLUN 2023 has begun from 1 - 28 May 2023, with May designated as Elderly Month. The HLUN commemoration reflects the country's admiration for the mental and physical spirit, as well as the significant role of Indonesian elders in maintaining independence, contributing to progress, and advancing the nation. Law No. 13/1998 on the Welfare of the Elderly r mandates that social welfare development must be oriented towards improving the social welfare of the elderly, as the elderly have the experience, competence, and wisdom to contribute to national development. 

To meet the rights of the elderly, the Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) assisted IDR 23.89 billion in support of 11 districts in Dharmasraya Regency in honor of HLUN 2023.

The 2023 HLUN Commemoration will provide services for the elderly, beginning with social assistance, health, civil rights, counseling on care for the elderly, and awards to elderly people who excel and contribute to caring for and fulfilling the rights of the elderly.

Civil rights fulfillment services include registering ID cards for the elderly, birth certificates, family cards, and marriage registration. MoSA and the Dharmasraya Regency Government collected information on older persons who engaged in marriage registration. The integrated marriage registration series was held on 22 and 25 May, and on the peak day, 19 May 2023. The marriage registration service collaborates with the local Religious Court to validate marital status.

"After screening for the HLUN, we discovered that numerous residents did not have a marriage certificate. The impact was significant; at the time, I wondered about what the status of the children would be if they didn't have a marriage certificate, and of course, they didn't have a family card," stated the Minister.

After attending HLUN, the Minister went to Sungai Dareh Regional Hospital to observe cataract surgery for the elderly. This surgery is a health service offered at HLUN. Health services include basic health checks (blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol, uric acid), and blood donation.

Aside from that, social assistance is distributed in the form of food for single elderly people, economic empowerment programs for the elderly, basic food programs, the Family Hope Program (PKH), Integrated Welfare Houses, accessibility assistance in the form of wheelchairs, glasses, canes, walkers, etc. Other services include clothing and nutritional assistance, as well as the establishment of an Elderly Park (with sports facilities, farming, and other amenities).

Another activity is to present awards to the elderly and parties who have succeeded and contributed to overcoming the elderly’s challenges, including people, families, and organizations. Then there's an exhibition of elderly creative products (handicrafts, paintings, batik, and other works).

Technical guidance for elderly care was also provided to social assistants, an association of housewives, integrated service posts, and integrated development post cadres. Then there is also a video showing the success story of the elderly; campaigns using banners, billboards, electronic media, and print media; and a webinar about the elderly.

MoSA has deployed all Technical Implementation Units (UPT) from all over Indonesia, from Aceh to Papua, to serve the elderly in 11 districts of Dharmasraya. MoSA also brought in Disaster Response Volunteers (Tagana) from various regions in Indonesia to work together to build bridges, elderly parks, and Integrated Welfare Houses for the elderly. This is also to celebrate Tagana's 19th anniversary. Tagana has emerged as one of the community's most accessible Social Welfare Potential and Sources, always prepared to respond immediately to disasters.

During the peak event, the Minister and the invitees were teleconferenced with 11 districts in Dharmasraya. The Minister greeted the elderly people present in each district. Apart from the main event, MoSA’s Technical Implementation Unit also celebrated HLUN simultaneously at 11 points.

The peak event for the 27th HLUN commemoration was attended by the Regent of Dharmasraya, Members of Commission VIII DPR RI Delmeria and Sri Wulan, the West Sumatra Provincial Government, the Government of Dharmasraya Regency and other Regencies/Cities along with elements of regional leaders’ forum, the ranks of the Directorate General/Center/Integrated Center/Training Center of the Ministry of Social Affairs from all over Indonesia.