JAKARTA (April 12, 2023) - As a vulnerable group, the Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) ensured to pay attention to and fulfill the rights of the elderly. Elderly who lived alone was an important concern as they had limitations in carrying out daily activities.

For this reason, Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini decided to propose providing assistance to 334,011 single elderly residents over 80 years old. This assistance was given only to the elderly who were helpless and had no family with a value of IDR 21,000 per day in 2022.

"MoSA pays attention to the elderly who live alone (single elderly) and are deprived in terms of the economy. Since they are the responsibility of all of us, as well as the responsibility of the state," said the Minister of Social Affairs when giving a speech at the Workshop on Elderly Islamic Boarding Schools: Elderly Welfare and Health, at the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) Jakarta, on Wednesday (12/4). Present on the occasion was the Secretary General of the MUI, Buya Amirsyah Tambunan and his staff.

On this occasion, the Minister of Social Affairs stated that the assistance distribution scheme for the pre-prosperous elderly and living alone was originally planned through PT Pos Indonesia as the channeling party. However, with the condition of living alone, assistance in the form of cash did not necessarily solve the problem.

So, MoSA chose to provide assistance in the form of food delivered directly to homes, twice a day. "We are assisted by community groups (pokmas) to prepare and deliver ready-to-eat food to elderly homes," said Risma.

Delivery to the elderly home was not only based on these practical considerations, but also, to ensure monitoring of the condition of the elderly. "By visiting homes and meeting directly with the elderly, pokmas officers can ascertain the condition of the elderly," she said.

Reflected on her previous experience during several working visits to a number of areas, she received many reports regarding several elderly people who lived alone and were found dead a few days later.

"That is the need for us to establish integrated services for the elderly. So, if there is an examination in an integrated service and found elderly who are not present, then the reason can be known from the start," said Risma.

Food assistance for the elderly also had other social functions that were no less significant. Pokmas who managed food were also expected from underprivileged families. "So, they can eat the food as well," she said.

However, entering 2023, the proposal for food assistance for the underprivileged elderly and living alone had not received approval yet. The Minister of Social Affairs opened herself up to establish synergy with all stakeholders to solve social problems together, "Since MoSA faces many limitations, including the budget," she said.

On that occasion, the Minister of Social Affairs also explained various challenges in handling social problems, such as how MoSA’s officers reach locations that need social welfare services in remote areas, including the elderly and other sick family members from their residence on the hill. It takes extra effort before dropping them off and delivering them to a health facility in the city center.

Public Relations Bureau
Ministry of Social Affairs RI