"With such a big old people it is obvious that Indonesia needs adequate social services for elderly people. In the current globalization era and progress in communication information and transportation technology, mobility of people has become increasingly high, affecting the life of the people," Achmad Diran said in Palangka Raya said recently.
In addition, he added, with the size of families decreasing, changes in priorities in meeting their needs, had made the existing household to grow increasingly complex, and the elderly people in their families are now often considered as a burden and eventually missed the attention of their families.
" I think such reason deserves serious attention in anticipation of problems relating to aging, because of its serious implications on various aspects like social, economic and political development planning," he said.
Diran added that actually the government has a high commitment to social services especially for old people. This is apparent in the issuance of several legal regulations on the handling of the elderly in Indonesia.
"One of them is Law No 13 of 1998 on welfare of the elderly and Presidential regulation No 60 of 2008 on Old People`s Commission as well as Regulation of the Home Affairs Minister No 60 of 2008 on a guidance for the elderly and empowerment in dealing with old people in the regions," he said.
He also said that the attention of the social affairs ministry with direct social assistance for the elderly under social security for old people (LSLU), and subsidy for institutions serving the elderly, are some of the regulations.
In the meantime, head of the Central Kalimantan social service Hardi Rampai said that the event was attended by public figures, members of the 1945 generation, youths, veterans, and other elderly people handling organizations.
(Uu.H-NG/O001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
