Through the Unmet Needs research, Kopernik aims to formulate potential solutions that are ready to be tested and build the foundations to improve the lives of Indonesia’s elderly population.
Indonesia, the fourth most populous country in the world, is known for its growing young population with a median age below 30 years. Despite this ‘demographic bonus,’ Global Age Watch ranks Indonesia 74th out of 96 countries worldwide, highlighting the social and economic well-being challenges faced by its elderly citizens. With the rapid demographic shift in Indonesia, where the country’s population continues to age and have fewer children, and the projected significant increase in the elderly population in the coming decades, Indonesia’s older people are likely to face bigger challenges.
Indonesia faces the challenge of its elderly population potentially being left behind, aging without support from their children or immediate family, especially those living in rural areas. This situation highlights the urgent need for comprehensive support systems to ensure the well-being and care of elderly individuals in their communities. Without drastic measures, Indonesia will face significant social challenges concerning the well-being of many elderly individuals.
It is against this background that Kopernik has undertaken comprehensive research to understand and address the unmet needs of Indonesia’s aging population.To further understand the difficulties faced by the elderly, field interviews were conducted with elderly people, family members, local government, health workers and community organizations in Yogyakarta and Bali. These interviews revealed eight priority challenges, ranging from economic instability to inadequate healthcare and social isolation.
In response to the findings, the Kopernik team embarked on identifying potential solutions. Through additional research, previous project experience, and focused discussions, the team generated a total of 27 ideas. These ideas were evaluated against criteria related to potential impact, cost, ease of implementation, and novelty. From this pool of ideas, nine emerged as particularly promising: 1) An Entrepreneurship School, 2) An Employment Generation Program, 3) Pre-elderly Financial Literacy Training, 4) A Mobile Clinic, 5) Self Health Assessment Tools, 6) A Toilet Support System, 7) A Cleaning Task Force, 8) A Community-based Caretaking System, and 9) An Intergenerational Program.
Through this Unmet Needs research, Kopernik aims not only to shed light on the challenges faced by elderly individuals in Indonesia but also to stimulate broader discussions on other critical issues that require closer attention. We hope this report will serve as a foundation for further identification of challenges and inspire the development of additional intervention ideas to effectively address these issues. Moving forward, Kopernik plans to test the potential solutions outlined in the report, with the goal of implementing the most promising initiatives to improve the lives of Indonesia’s elderly population.
For more insights into the unmet needs of elderly individuals in Indonesia, read the full report on Kopernik's findings and proposed solutions. Join us in our efforts to create a supportive environment for Indonesia’s aging population.
