Perceptions about the Needs of Older People’s Care in an Indonesian Community

Abstract

Indonesia faces rapid population aging, accompanied by rising chronic illnesses and functional decline among older people. Despite strong cultural expectations for family caregiving, community participation in supporting the care of older people varies. Still, little is known about how communities perceive the needs of older people’s care. This study explored community perceptions of the care needs of older people in an Indonesian community. A qualitative descriptive study was conducted in a village in Bali from May to June 2025. Twenty-one participants, purposively selected from diverse groups including eight family members, f ive older people, four health volunteers, and four healthcare workers, participated in four focus group discussions. Data were analyzed using content analysis to identify recurring patterns, categories, and themes.

Four main themes emerged: 1) health conditions of older people (chronic disease, physical limitations, dependency, need for attention, and participation in positive activities); 2) family and community involvement (family obligation, lack of choice, intergenerational support, teenager indifference, limited caregiving knowledge); 3) experiences of receiving health education (from health workers, home visits, and nursing students); and 4) needs for innovation in health education (accessible media, smartphone-based applications, and practical simulations). This study demonstrated that, while Indonesian communities view care for older people as a family responsibility, participation is hindered by limited involvement among teenagers and inadequate knowledge of caregiving. By integrating culturally appropriate, technology-supported health education, nurses and community health workers can enhance participation and improve the well-being of older people.