Seniors Have Capacity to Share Experience, Expertise

KOMPAS/SEKAR GANDHAWANGI

Halimah (75), an elderly person in Dharmasraya Regency, West Sumatra, spoke with a companion from the Ministry of Social Affairs on Monday (29/5/2023). Halimah is one of the elderly recipients of social assistance in the form of integrated welfare homes (RST).

DHARMASRAYA, KOMPAS — Social welfare should be oriented towards senior citizens. They are capable of playing a role in national development because of their experience, expertise and wisdom, which can be shared with people of working age.

Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharini conveyed this message at the height of the commemoration of the National Day of the Elderly 2023 in Dharmasraya regency, West Sumatra, on Monday (29/5/2023). This year’s National Day of the Elderly is an occasion to provide greater care for seniors.

Being of advanced age does not prevent citizens from actively sharing their experience, expertise and wisdom with those of the working age population. Maria S.W. Sumardjono, 80, a professor at the Gadjah Mada University law school who retired 15 years ago, for instance, continues to deliver lectures for her students, write books, contribute her thoughts on law through the mass media and serve as a resource person in discussions.

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“My routine has not changed. I’m [active] not only at the [law] faculty, but also in other places. While serving as a resource person everywhere, I continue to expand my networks, learning more,” Maria said on Monday (29/5).

Even after retirement, Maria continues to actively apply her knowledge, including in formulating government policies. Maria is currently chief adviser to the Agrarian and Spatial Planning Minister/Head of the National Land Agency (BPN) and senior adviser to the Executive Office of the President. She writes books, reads and conducts research. “Doing research revitalizes my lectures, because a lecturer not only expounds on theories but also connects them to governance and the empirical world,” she said.

Researching and writing help her remain engaged in thinking. Every time she thinks of something, she directly puts it down on paper, whether on a shopping list or in a legal journal. “I have a plan to publish a book on each birthday. When I have been granted so much of God’s blessing, I must return it to all the people. [My] writing is giving back to society,” added Maria.

Until now, I always try to take a nap, though only for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, actress Herlina Christine Natalia Hakim, 66, better known as Christine Hakim, said living healthy as a senior must be prepared at 40. “When one turns 40 and does not follow a healthy lifestyle, various diseases will appear at 50,” said Christine, who was in Bandung on a film shoot.

Christine has maintained a healthy lifestyle. When she turned 40, she reduced the frequency of staying up late at night and increased the amount of time she slept, especially during the day. “Until now, I always try to take a nap, though only for 15 minutes,” she said.

There are also good eating habits and balanced exercises. Christine consumes herbal drinks almost every day, particularly turmeric with tamarind and citronella. Christine deems that citronella is important to her, as it helps lower her uric acid, triglyceride and cholesterol levels.

FAKHRI FADLURROHMAN

Film actress Christine Hakim

For exercise, Christine swims and walks. “Staying healthy as [we age] is part of lifelong learning. The key is introspection and knowing one’s place, including making adjustments between increasing age and physical capacity,” said Christine, who started shooting in Indonesia after recently returning from New York, the United States.

Christine was in New York on 7-14 May 2023 for a road show of her 50-year film career. To date, she has worked with at least 30 directors. Seven films were prepared for the road show in America, Europe and Asia. Arriving back home, Christine joined the film shoot in Saparua, Tegal, and is now in Bandung until 1 June 2023.

We have many friends here who make us happy.

Christine says that she rarely consults a doctor. The last time she visited a hospital was over three days in January, for a health check prior to her departure to the US to for a shooting for The Last of Us.

In the meantime, a number of elderly people at the Panti Werdha Berea senior home in Kedoya, West Jakarta, are striving to stay physically fit and actively engaged. Lusia Kristianti, 71, for example, despite the polio that has affected her since childhood, continues to be active. “We have many friends here who make us happy. Every morning, we do light exercises and pray together,” she said.

Protection of seniors

The Social Affairs Ministry provided Rp 23.89 billion in aid to 11 districts in Dharmasraya regency on the occasion of the 2023 National Day of the Elderly. The aid is intended as a gesture of respect for protecting and guaranteeing the rights of senior citizens.

Tri “Risma” Rismaharini called on the public to respect their parents. She asked the public not to neglect senior citizens. This was because a number of elderly people had been abandoned by their families and were left on their own in inappropriate living conditions. “I remind all parties that we exist because of our parents. Even if they cause inconvenience, do not ever stop caring for them,” she said.

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According to Risma, the promotion of social welfare should also be oriented towards the elderly. Financial aid was available to empower them and guarantee of their rights as seniors, including social assistance and healthcare allocations, such as for cataract surgery.

These funds were also intended to fulfill their civil rights, such as issuing electronic identity cards for the elderly, birth certificates and family cards. A number of elderly couples had registered their marriage, legalizing their marriage status through local religious courts. (Z01)

This article was translated by Aris Prawira.