Social Affairs Minister Expresses Concerns about Children Abandoning Their Parents

JAKARTA (31 May 2022) - Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharini expressed woe for a report that there was a child who abandoned his parents in the middle of the road.

The parents were classified as elderly and had no place to go. “I am saddened to receive reports that an elderly has been abandoned by his child. He was dropped off in the middle of the road and neglected. To his child, he was burdensome. In fact, the elderly are not a burden on the state," said the Minister of Social Affairs in Jakarta (31/05).

During her visits to many places, the Minister received much information. She got reports of several cases where an elderly was found dead alone at home 4 days later. "No one knew. This should not happen. We have to find a solution," she said.

There were many elderly who lived alone. The concern and togetherness of the surrounding community were needed. “That is why we need to establish integrated services for the elderly. So if there is a check-up in the integrated service, and there are elderly who are not present, it can be known from the start what the reason is," said the Minister.

To societies, the Minister of Social Affairs reminded them that all who are currently fit as a fiddle will become elderly if given a long life. So she asked societies to participate in providing opportunities for the elderly to make their rights real.

The one who was most obliged to ensure this was his family, in this case, his children. The Minister of Social Affairs emphasized that the government adheres to policies that were oriented towards improving the quality of life of the elderly. "The Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) pays attention to the elderly living alone and are economically deprived. It is the state's responsibility in caring for elderly people," she said.

The Ministry of Social Affairs viewed that the elderly were not a burden to the state. The Minister stated that it does not mean the older you are, the less productive you can be. "Elderly can remain productive. But that does not mean that the elderly are forced to work. They can do activities that are beneficial to both health and the economy. If they are happy, they can increase their immunity," she said.

Fulfilling the needs of the elderly who live alone is not easy to do. They need different treatments. If the option was to take them to the center, not all elderly were eager to live in the center. "That's the problem. Meanwhile, if they live at home, who will cook? Then how do they perform daily activities, especially if they are not strong enough? When they are not capable of doing so, we immediately take them to our rehabilitation center," she said.

But if they can still do some activities, MoSA can help by entrusting food to village officials. “There is a policy for single elderly to get two social assistance. However, even if they get two social assistance, that doesn’t mean they can cook for themselves. So now we empower the companions," she said.

Commemorating the 26th National Elderly Day, the Minister called for the concern of the entire community so that the elderly feel the presence of 'family' in their old age. Thus, it was hoped that the elderly will be healthier, stronger and more empowered.