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Many older people lost a lifetime's work in the tsunami. They need targeted relief but many have been forgotten.
What happened in 2008?
YEL brought together a delegation of older people who were keen to talk to their government about the issues that affect them.
The Secretary General of the Ministry of Social Affairs made a commitment to:
- Set up an activity centre for older people.
- Increase the number of beneficiaries of social pensions from 5,000 to 10,000 by October 2009.
- Review all current programmes for older people and
ensure that those programmes that have improved their lives continue.
An interview with the Secretary General and the key speaker of the delegation was broadcast on national television.
The delegation
Mrs Soejati, 77
Mrs Soejati is an independent older person. At the meeting, she stressed the importance of developing older people's associations, so that they can fully participate in activities and are not left feeling socially isolated.
Mrs Icih, 68
Mrs Icih is a widow looking after two grandchildren. Her son has died and her daughter-in-law only earns a small wage doing laundry for her neighbours. Mrs Icih is not covered by any social protection programmes. She wants the government to assess the needs of poor older women such as herself.
Mrs Rusimini, 83
Mrs Rusimini is a lucky recipient of home care services. She would like to see homecare provided to all older and poor women like her, so that they are not committed to to institutions.
Mrs Lily Soedjono, 88
Mrs Soedjono would like the government to pay more attention to the National Day of Older Persons. She would also like them to acknowledge the need for activity centres for older people.
Mr Madi, 70
Mr Madi gets a social pension. He would like to see the social pension made available to all poor older people.
