Ministry of Social Affairs Conducts Quick Response to Elderly in Ondel-ondel Village

Writer :

Humas Balai Budhi Dharma Bekasi

Editor :

Annisa YH

Translator :

Karlina Irsalyana

JAKARTA (July 28, 2021) - The Ministry of Social Affairs through the Bekasi “Budhi Dharma” Social Rehabilitation Center as the Technical Implementation Unit (UPT) within the Directorate General of Social Rehabilitation carries out assessment activities for the elderly in Kramat Pulo Village, Central Jakarta.

The assessment was carried out in accordance with the direction of the Director General of Social Rehabilitation, Harry Hikmat, so that the Center could deploy a team to carry out assessments for the elderly who need assistance in this densely populated village.

“Send an assessment team to Kramat Pulo village, Senen, Central Jakarta. Check the condition of sleeping equipment such as mattresses, beds, pillows, bed linen for the elderly, as well as the need for wheelchairs, walkers, canes, and adaptive wheelchairs that can be used for bathing. Apart from that, they also check the needs of Pampers (adult diapers) and the nutritional needs of the elderly," said Harry in his direction.

Furthermore, Harry also said that the team could check the assistance received by the elderly. He emphasized that the team should check whether the elderly are registered in the Healthy Indonesia Card (KIS), the Family Hope Program (PKH), Non-Cash Food Assistance (BPNT), Cash Social Assistance (BST) and/or other social assistance such as assistance obtained from local governments.

Before going to the location, the team coordinated with the Central Jakarta Social Service Sub-Office. Furthermore, the team collaborated with the Karya Putra Indonesia Mandiri Foundation (KPIM) for caring for children and the elderly, the Family Compensation Center (PUSAKA) 120, and local RT/RW to obtain data.

Kramat Pulo Village is a densely populated village whose average population is the Betawi ethnic group. No wonder most of the residents' livelihood is to open ondel-ondel making services or to go around offering ondel-ondel art services for various events such as weddings or circumcisions. Besides being known as the Ondel-ondel village, this location is also known as the Ondel-ondel Craft Center.

Ironically, not a few social problems also arise at this location, such as several elderly people who were visited by the team today. A team of five Centers officers managed to visit the village locations and found a total of 16 elderly with various social problems.

One of them is Waryanah, a 71-year-old grandmother who has lived with her seven children, daughter-in-law and grandchildren in this narrow two-story wooden house for 10 years. His physical condition is weak because she has diabetes, stomach pain, and low blood pressure which makes her often stagger.

Every day she sleeps on a carpet with a bolster pillow condition that is not suitable for use. The fulfillment of his daily food needs is made by her son who lives on a lease not far from her house because the cooking utensils (rice cooker) have been damaged and have never received government assistance.

"My daily food is cooked by my son, who works around bringing ondel-ondel, during this pandemic, he only gets 15 thousand a day, sometimes 20 thousand rupiahs," said Waryanah stammering.

"Sometimes for extra, we also collect plastic bottles to sell again, one kilo can get three thousand, for a kilo sometimes it can take up to three days to collect it", he added.

There is also Abdurrahman (76 years old), in his old age, this grandfather still works making ondel-ondel dolls to be sold as souvenirs. Hearing that has diminished does not reduce his enthusiasm to remain productive by running a business that he has been engaged in for decades.

In addition, there was also Urip (79 years old), an elderly who is also person with a disability in his right hand. He lives in a tarpaulin hut with his wife who had a stroke. Both of them sell sugar palm beside the railroad tracks and have never received any assistance.

''We sell coconut shells every day, there are 15 thousand per pack, some 35 thousand. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, we wish you all good health and ask us to be helped," said Urip.

Based on the results of the assessment carried out by the team, some of the elderly will be provided with family-based ATENSI services with the average elderly being recommended to get nutrition packages (elderly milk, biscuits/snacks, honey, and dates), room facilities assistance (mattresses, pillows, bolsters, etc.) blankets and sheets, health care (multivitamins, masks), and personal hygiene (soap, laundry soap, toothbrush, toothpaste).

In some elderly, it is also recommended to provide accessibility assistance such as canes, walkers, or wheelchairs according to their needs. Business capital assistance is also provided for the elderly and their families to support their businesses to meet their daily needs.

Apart from the 16 elderly who have been assessed, there are still 17 elderly data that need to be followed up. The condition of the population density in the location and the period of the Covid-19 pandemic that has not subsided, which causes the need for time for follow-up.

Not to forget, when entering the field, the team always applies health protocols in carrying out assessments during this Covid-19 Pandemic. The team jumped in with complete Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as the use of double masks, face shields, and gloves.

2021-07-29
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