Aging with Health and Grace

Jakarta – Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA )Asia is home to over half of the world’s elderly population. That population is expected to triple to more than 1.26 billion people by 2050. Indonesia, the fourth most populous country in the world, has approximately 20 million elderly right now. 

Along with quantity, we also must address quality. According to one of Indonesia’s first doctors to specialize in geriatrics, Prof. Dr. dr. Siti Setiati, there are many challenges in delivering quality care to the elderly.  With only around 50 geriatricians available in Indonesia right now, the government needs to prepare and anticipate the increasing needs for human resources to help taking care the elderly. This concern was shared during the Thought Leadership Forum, “How to Age with Health and Grace” on Friday, May 19, hosted by Philips.

The term ‘elderly’ in Indonesia refers to a person above 60 years of age. As a geriatrician who often deals with elderly patients, Prof. Siti finds that chronic diseases like hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, osteoporosis, dementia, and heart problems are increasingly prevalent in increasingly longer-living patients.  will last for a long time and are incurable, but they are still manageable. However, she is anxious to see that some of these degenerative diseases have started to develop among the younger age group. This is why it is important for people to start living healthily since young age to avoid getting chronic diseases, as they grow older. And it is best to start with one’s own health before we try to take care of others.

As a geriatrician who often deals with elderly patients, she finds that chronic diseases like hypertension, high cholesterol level, diabetes, osteoporosis, dementia, and heart problems will last for a long time and are incurable, but they are still manageable. However, she is anxious to see that some of these degenerative diseases have started to develop among the younger age group. “It is important to start living healthily since young age to avoid getting chronic diseases as we grow older. It is best to take care of our own health before we try to take care of others,” concluded Prof. Atiek.

R. Wibowo Wirjodiprodjo is a living proof on how healthy living can help maintain one’s health. At the age of 88, the father of two Indonesian top celebrities Ari Wibowo and Ira Wibowo, is still living an active and healthy life; he even drives his own car. “I work out every day, even if it’s only 10 minutes of walking. I also go to the traditional market every morning at 6 A.M. to do my own grocery-shopping,” he revealed. “Eating healthy is also important. I always have vegetables before every meal.”

Living with his 78-year-old wife who suffers from osteoporosis, Wibowo drives three times a week to the hospital for her therapy. “We leave around 6 a.m. to the hospital and finish around 2 p.m. I’m the one responsible for all administrative works required by the BPJS (Indonesian Healthcare and Social Security Agency),” explained Wibowo who still enjoy ballroom and traditional dance.

As a Health Tech company, Philips always want to address health problems that have great impact to people’s life. Philips encourages progressive thinking around healthcare issues in Indonesia, and how we can boost healthy living and lifestyle, including good eating habits starting at home from a young age as a preventive measure for NCDs. We want to encourage people to pay a better attention to their health as early as possible.

Philips aims to improve the lives of three billion people per year by 2025 and create a healthier society through an integrated healthcare across the entire health continuum. This Thought Leadership Forum is part of a series of forums initiated by Philips Indonesia to gather experts and institutions in a discussion about the health issues in Indonesia.

We intend to hold three more forums in 2017, in order to encourage forward thinking around the health issues and challenges we are facing in Indonesia. By gathering insight from experts and stakeholders, we hope will bring a solution and a better healthcare for all.