MoSA Initiates Early Education for Elderly Care

DHARMASRAYA (24 May 2023) - Preparing the younger generation to love, respect, and care for the elderly is necessary as part of instilling the nation's noble values.

Following up on the spirit above, one of the series of commemorations of the 27th National Elderly Day (HLUN) in Dharmasraya Regency, West Sumatra Province was held 'Specific Training for Increasing Respect and Care for the Elderly'.

Following the training, there will be elderly ambassadors among young children, with two primary goals in mind: first, to raise children's awareness and comprehension. Whereas the elderly are noble individuals or parents whose honor and dignity must be preserved, so when they grow older, they will adore them, care for and pay attention to them, and look after the elderly if they want assistance.

“Secondly, in the future, there will be fewer elderly people abandoned by their families. Even if there are single elderly, they must be cared for by the central, provincial, district/city governments and Social Service Agency (LKS) who care for the elderly," said Director of Social Rehabilitation for the Elderly, Supomo in Jakarta.

The training was attended by 550 elementary school students in grades V and VI as well as junior high schools in grades VII and VIII in 11 districts, namely Punjung Island (50 participants), Timpeh (50 participants), Padang Laweh (50 participants), Sitiung (50 participants), Koto Baru (50 participants), Koto Besar (50 participants), Sembilan Koto (50 participants), Tiumang (50 participants), Sungai Rumbai (50 participants) and Jujuhan Acid (50 participants).

The technical guidance activity lasted one day and featured two presenters, Agus Widiatmo and Mirsal Gani, with the overall theme 'Making the Elderly Happy in Their Old Age'.

"The training material consists of 10 hours of lessons starting from an introduction to the concept of elderly people, their problems and needs, testimonials from happy elderly people, the role of individual families, communities and government in realizing the welfare of the elderly, simulations of Elderly Ambassadors regarding their duties, functions and responsibilities, as well as discussions and building commitment," said the Head of Administration Arif Rohman represented the Head of Social Welfare Education and Training Center Regional 1 Padang at SDN 08 Pulau Punjung.

The instruction is part of a larger effort to teach elementary and middle school students the value of respecting the elderly. It is also necessary to foster a commitment among young children to respect and satisfy the needs of the elderly at home and in the community.

The training has resulted in the availability of Elderly Ambassadors among elementary and middle school-aged youngsters, who will subsequently play an active role as role models and agents of change. A role model is someone who sets an example of commitment and concrete acts to respect and assist the elderly in meeting their requirements in their family and community settings.

"Being an agent of change means socializing, building commitment, and inviting friends in the school environment, family environment, and community environment to appreciate and help fulfill the needs of the elderly," said Arif.

The elderly Ambassadors were chosen based on the results of observations and assessments of the seriousness, activeness, and commitment that participants noticed while participating in the training, to select 12 participants to be crowned as Elderly Ambassadors at the event's conclusion.

"10 Elderly Ambassadors will be included online in the peak event of the 27th HLUN commemoration and 2 Elderly Ambassadors will attend in the courtyard of the Dharmasraya Regent's Office where the Elderly Ambassador's sash will be placed by the Minister of Social Affairs accompanied by the Dharmasraya Regent," he said.

One of the participants, Amar, 12 years old, a class V student at SD 08 Punjung Island, admitted that he was happy to be able to take part in training which was carried out by presenting fun speakers.

"I am delighted to be able to participate in the training on care and treatment of the elderly. I'll be able to make new acquaintances, and there will be door prizes," remarked Amar.