Indonesia
The Institute for Research and Community Service of Universitas Islam Malang (Unisma) in collaboration with the Social Service of the Province of East Java developed guidelines for standardized services for the elderly in East Java. This agenda was held in the East Java Study Center Room, Ali bin Abi Tholib building, 3rd floor on Saturday, November 28, 2020.
The caretaker head of Regional body for planning and developmen of East Java, Dr. Bobby Sumiarsono, SH., M.Si in his speech conveyed the importance of preparing social standard service guidelines for the elderly.
According to the Rector of Unisma, the elderly need special attention. Social services for the elderly are not only carried out by institutions, the community needs to be socialized so that they are able to serve the elderly in their respective family environments.
The rector told about the best practices for elderly care in Japan which is also supported by a culture that respects and cares for the elderly. The rector also opened a Focus Group Discussion
Budgeting Policy by Caretaker Development Planning Agency of East Java
Planning preparation starts from the Regional Medium Term Development Plan which is derived from the Long Term Development Plan. This preparation is also based on the Vision and Mission of the Governor of East Java 2018-2023, which includes protecting vulnerable groups.
One of the vulnerable groups is the elderly, especially the poor. This Gajah Mada University alumnus told the story of the vice president who regretted not having prepared the right Standard Operating Procedure for post-state service.
In 2020, the elderly are predicted to be 5.38 million out of 39.89 million people, or about 13% of the total population. Regency has the largest number of elderly. The service is focused on the poor and vulnerable. The largest number of elderly is in Lumajang Regency.
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The problem of the elderly in East Java also deals with sectors outside the social service such as
1. Health
2. Elderly friendly public facilities
3. Neglected elderly
4. The elderly below the poverty line
5. Basic needs for the elderly category
6. limited activities that support the elderly
Elderly Handling Strategy includes
1. Social assistance for the poor and vulnerable elderly
2. Health insurance
3. Optimizing services for the elderly in the orphanage
4. District/city synergy on the elderly’s quality of life
5. Social guidance in the form of increasing independence
6. Accessibility of elderly-friendly public facilities
7. Health services for the elderly
The 2021 Regional Revenue and Expenditure Budget draft has been prepared with a budget of 7 trillion for expenditures of around 7%. The budget will be used for social programs, especially the Social Service budgeting priority programs: 1) Hope Family Program Plus Reduction of People with Social Welfare Problems, 2) Independence pioneer allowance, 3) Empowered disaster preparedness village.
Institutional Strengthening for Elderly Handling
Professor of Government Science, Prof. M. Mas’ud Said, PhD provides insight about institutional strengthening in handling the elderly. At least, there are 7 main issues in the institutional handling for the elderly that need to be strengthened. They are
legislation, policies at ministerial level and regional heads, program accessibility, the role of Technical Implementation Unit and elderly experts, Technical Implementation Unit managerial in the area, sources of funds, and facilitation of elderly families and communities.
In addition, the Unisma Graduate Director emphasized creating a happy environment for the elderly. “Make them feel meaningful and happy,” he said.
Strategy for Handling the Elderly in East Java
Handling the elderly cannot be carried out partially. This needs to be encouraged by all levels of government. Especially in East Java, the head of Regional body for planning and developmen of East Java , Bobby Soemiarsono, revealed 7 strategies for handling the elderly. First, social assistance for the poor and vulnerable elderly, second, health insurance for both, third, optimizing services for the elderly in the orphanage, fourth, synergy with regencies/cities in East Java fifth, social guidance, sixth, the accessibility of public facilities that are friendly for the elderly and health services for the elderly.
In East Java, there are 5,376,672 elderly with 2,345,388 elderly belonging to the category of underprivileged and vulnerable. (Al/Nad/PPS)
