Policy Model for Handling Poor and Non-Poor Elderly to Improve the Quality of Life of the Elderly in Karangasem Regency

Abstract

The success of the Family Planning Program, which has been implemented for almost 53 years in Bali Province, has changed the age structure of the population into an aging population structure, where the proportion of the elderly population (aged 60 + years) is now above 10 percent. All regencies experience the same situation, including in Karangasem Regency, where in 2020, based on the results of the Population Census, the percentage of elderly reached 13.07 percent. The significant decline in births in Bali Province as well as in Karangasem Regency has resulted in the average number of children per family decreasing to 2.31 children per family in 2020. The decreasing number of children and the increasing proportion of the elderly, along with the rising life expectancy, have had an impact on elderly care. Elderly people in their lives may live alone or only with their spouse, which becomes problematic as they age. In such conditions, it is hoped that the government will step in to address this issue. The purpose of this research is to design appropriate policy scenario models in handling elderly people, whether poor or non-poor, who live alone or only with their spouse. Another objective is to identify the parties most influential in determining the quality of life for the elderly. Data were collected through focus group discussions (FGDs) with participants including various parties involved in elderly care such as families, district governments, and village governments. The data analysis techniques used are multi-policy analysis and Mactor Analysis, which include sustainability analysis. The research results show that elderly individuals living alone or only with their spouse, whether classified as poor or non-poor, have the following policy priorities for their care: 1) The top priority policy is the construction of special housing for the elderly at the village level; 2) The second priority is the policy of providing elderly care in their own homes; and 3) The last priority policy is the placement of the elderly in existing nursing homes/elderly care facilities. These policies should be funded through collaborative efforts between village governments, related agencies, and private foundations. The parties most influential in improving the quality of life for the elderly are children and the Health Department (health workers), who exhibit the strongest convergence. Suggestions that can be put forward are the need for commitment from the relevant parties, especially village governments, district and provincial governments, and elderly care advocates, to handle elderly issues at the village level by building simple but elderly-friendly homes at the village level, specifically for elderly individuals living alone or only with their spouse who already require assistance in their daily lives.