MoSA Creates Koto Besar Elderly Park for Productive and Happy Elderly

DHARMASRAYA (28 May 2023) — Old age does not prevent someone from remaining productive and joyful. Aside from family support, environmental variables play an essential role in enhancing the productivity and happiness of the elderly. To help the elderly, the Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) developed an Elderly Park in Koto Besar District.

The establishment of the elderly park was initiated by the Directorate of Social Protection for Victims of Social and Non-Natural Disasters (PSKBSNA) in commemoration of National Elderly Day (HLUN) 2023 in Dharmasraya Regency.

The Elderly Park in Nagari Koto Besar is the first Elderly Park in West Sumatra Province. This park serves as an elderly-friendly space where the elderly can enjoy entertainment and leisure, particularly in the Koto Besar area.

"This is probably the first time I've heard of an Elderly Park in West Sumatra; perhaps big cities like Jakarta and Bandung already have one," said Helfarianto, West Sumatra Province's Community Peace Volunteer Coordinator.

Construction of the Koto Besar Elderly Park began on 10 May 2023, involving 15 Community Peace Volunteers, 15 Disaster Response Volunteers (Tagana), the Social Harmony Forum, and the local community. This park's facilities are designed to be welcoming to both the elderly and children. There is a gazebo, reflection area, fish therapy pool, and also swings for children.

In the Koto Besar area, elderly calisthenics are routinely held at the Community Health Center. However, it will now be relocated to the elderly park so that it becomes an attraction in the park.

"Now with the Elderly Park, elderly people can be brought here to reflect after they have finished exercising; there is a place to walk, and there is also a fish pond for foot reflection. Perhaps it is more suitable because of the construction that the calisthenics that were previously at the community health center will be moved here. It was developed in a more representational style, with an elderly park," said Helfarianto.

This Elderly Park is used not only for entertainment and relaxation but also to increase the elderly's productivity through hydroponic gardens. The hydroponic garden will be developed by the elderly and coordinated by the local Social Harmony Forum. The outputs of hydroponic plants will be used not only to provide nutrition for the elderly in Koto Besar but also to empower the elderly’s economy.

Koto Besar District Head Fauzi Aries expressed his gratitude for the MoSA's support for the elderly in the Koto Besar District.

"Thank God, there is an activity in the context of National Elderly Day in which the government of Dharmasraya Regency has appointed Koto Besar District to construct this Elderly Park in Nagari Koto Besar. We will help it remain sustainable. Alhamdulillah, I am grateful to the Ministry of Social Affairs for their aid. Of course, it would be a significant loss if our folks, particularly the elderly, were unable to take advantage of this," added Fauzi.

Dahlan (54), an elderly resident in Koto Besar, stated that he would use the Elderly Park to spend his leisure time in the afternoon after working cutting rubber in the morning.

"That's good; we can have some spare time here in the afternoon," said Dahlan.

It is hoped that the construction of this Elderly Park will serve as an example for other places in terms of creating open spaces that are friendly to the elderly and can also support the economic development of the elderly so that they can be productive and happy.