The Context and Influence of the Asian Urban Information Center of Kobe

3.9. Second 2008 Workshop on Population Aging and Appropriate Measures for the aged

Second 2008 Workshop

Second 2008 Workshop Action Plan Progress Reports

Second 2008 Workshop

Also following a workshop of 2006 with the same theme, the Second 2008 Workshop, from 26 October to 3 November, was titled “Population Aging and Appropriate Measures for the Aged”. It was attended by eight senior officials of health and welfare departments of AACs, academic collaborators and officials of UNFPA and DAMANDIRI Foundation of Indonesia. Presentations were by Kobe City and UNFPA Officials, and focused on population transitions toward aging societies, and the need for health and welfare policies directed at elderly citizens to promote their wellbeing and active roles in society. After Best Practice presentations and city reports on each of the AUICK Associate cities, as well as site visits to care homes, education and employment programs for the aged and the WHO Kobe Centre, the participants developed, presented and re-formulated Action Plans, based on lessons learned at the Workshop. The Workshop itself was arranged to coincide with a UNFPA Seminar under the theme of “Aging in Asian Cities – Burden or Opportunity?” This was attended by the Second 2008 Workshop participants, members of AUICK’s International Advisory Committee, academics from the AACs, officials of UNFPA and 140 citizens of Kobe.

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Second 2008 Workshop Action Plan Progress Reports

Weihai 

With continuing need for shelter for poor and elderly citizens, the Action Plan proposed the building of a Comprehensive Senior Centre, incorporating lessons learned from visits to facilities and institutions in Kobe. A free intensive care center for elderly without children is proposed, to incorporate accommodation, food provision, Medicare and recreational facilities. Its construction is approved by the Mayor, and will cover an area of approximately 300,000㎡, and have 500 beds. Its total cost of USD7 million will be covered by local government budget, welfare lottery income, and provincial and state level Civil Affairs Departments.
Plan status: partial implementation 

Chennai 

In 2008, Chennai urban infrastructure lacked accessibility to elderly citizens, and health workers were largely untrained in elderly care. The Action Plan provided more elderly-friendly infrastructure for public buildings, and has advocated for care-worker training, in consultation with the City Health Department. Upon implementation, the plan was expanded to incorporate non-public buildings.
Plan status: significant implementation 

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Surabaya 

Increased life expectancy in Surabaya has raised the demand for elderly health care. The Action Plan proposed a network on elderly health information, and other community awarenss programmes on elderly-related issues, through media and printed materials. The plan is piloted for 10 ‘Posdayas’ (family and community empowerment posts), and its replication is promoted to 43 primary health centers. Planning is proceeding with technical support from Airlangga University School of Medicine and a local hospital, but overall funding, and therefore full implementation, is pending.
Plan status: partial implementation 

Kuantan 

With rising elderly health care demand and fees but limited budget and facilities, Kuantan planned a new volunteer service to help manage Kompleks Penyayang, a comprehensive daycare center established and run by NGOs. The volunteers would help maintain the center, visit elderly citizens and assist them to attend medical health checks, and provide massage and bathing help to the sick elderly. Despite preliminary discussions with the Social Welfare Department and consultation with the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), the system is planned but not functional, as an operating agency is yet to be established.
Plan status: partial implementation 

Faisalabad 

As elderly welfare policy formulation was not prioritized in Faisalabad, the Action Plan created government awareness on the need for health and welfare provision, with an ultimate aim to improve the physical, mental and social health and wellbeing of the district’s aged, irrespective of gender, caste, religion or status. The initial aim to inform City District Government officials on elderly needs was achieved, but external factors, such as regional instability and lack of basic amenities and services for citizens, mean policies for the aged remain a relatively low priority.
Plan status: partial implementation 

Olongapo 

The Action Plan for Olongapo established a senior citizens center, based on the Silver College in Kobe. An alternative facility is being used while construction on donated land is pending approval. The center arranges elderly activity groups and promotes skills inventory toward their employment. Data support is through the community based Management Information System (MIS) facilitated by AUICK, and the center’s transfer to its purpose-built premises is scheduled.
Plan status: full implementation 

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Khon Kaen 

With Khon Kaen’s limited budget, 10,800 of its 14,705 elderly citizens are on waiting lists for assistance, and there is only one volunteer responsible elderly care in each of the municipality’s 87 communities. A three-year plan proposes a network of 2,000 trained volunteers to strengthen communities and relieve the government sector’s elderly care provision workload. The volunteers would also provide data to assist government policy formulation. Unfortunately, the plan’s implementation status is not communicated to AUICK.
Plan status: non-implementation 

Danang 

Through the Danang Action Plan, the city’s government collaborated with NGOs, communities and the private sector, to provide funding for elderly citizens living alone or in poor households. Activity clubs increase their physical wellbeing, and financial support is improving welfare centers. Approval from the Labor Ministry is pending for construction of a new senior center, which will incorporate lessons learned from the AUICK Workshop.
Plan status: significant implementation

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