Elder care and intergenerational relationships in rural Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Abstract

In Indonesia, as in most other societies, intergenerational relationships are considered most important for elder care. Children are expected to take care of their elderly parents. However, processes of social change such as industrialisation, urbanisation and migration can have a negative impact on care for elderly people, particularly in rural areas. This paper addresses the issue of the living and care arrangements of older people and possible changes therein. A number of hypotheses and research questions pertaining to this issue are discussed. An Elderly Household Survey was carried out among people aged 55 years and older in two different villages in the Special Region of Yogyakarta. The data concern the living and care arrangements according to the respondent’s sex, age and village. The principle finding is that most older people still live with at least one child or with other kin, or have at least one child living in the same village. Hence, they still have a potential care provider in their immediate vicinity. The situation, however, especially of women aged over 75 years, seems to be problematic.