Indonesia – Elderly Care

How are elderly people regarded and treated in Indonesia?

The extended family unit remains a cornerstone of Indonesian life, and it is entirely normal for older generations to live alongside or close to their adult children. Elderly people command genuine respect in Indonesian society, a reverence that is interwoven with the nation’s diverse religious traditions and with a deeply held sense of reciprocal obligation — the belief that children owe their parents the same devoted care they once received.

Indonesian cultural norms firmly expect families to accommodate and attend to their ageing members, typically within the family home. This stands in sharp contrast to the institutionalised approach common in northern European countries, where publicly funded residential care is both widely available and broadly accepted as a normal life stage. In Indonesia, such institutional models are viewed through an altogether different lens.

The concept of a nursing home has historically been associated in Indonesian public perception with poverty, family abandonment, and social neglect — making it a deeply stigmatised option. Indonesia’s Minister of Social Affairs has stated publicly that placing elderly relatives in nursing homes runs counter to Indonesian values, describing it as an idea transplanted from foreign cultures rather than something rooted in local tradition.

Approximately 67 percent of older Indonesians live within their family households, and around 46.3 percent receive direct care from their own children — a pattern that reflects the powerful cultural imperative to honour and support one’s parents as an expression of gratitude. However, this model is facing mounting pressure. A growing elderly population, combined with shifts in family formation patterns, suggests that relying on the family unit alone as the cornerstone of elder care will become increasingly difficult to sustain.

Since 70 percent of the Indonesian workforce is engaged in the informal economy — where pension coverage is largely absent — many older people find themselves compelled to continue working long past conventional retirement age simply to meet their basic needs. This economic reality places limits on the standard of care that families are realistically able to provide, even when the desire to help is genuine.

As Indonesia’s demographic profile continues to shift, attitudes towards older people are also undergoing a gradual transformation. The long-standing stereotype of the elderly as burdensome and unproductive is giving way to a more positive recognition of their contributions. The Ministry of Population and Family Development has articulated this shift directly, stating that the government now regards older Indonesians not as a vulnerable group in need of protection, but as a vital national asset capable of strengthening both family and community resilience.

What state or publicly funded elderly care is available in Indonesia?

Indonesia’s Law No. 13/1998 on the welfare of the elderly lays down a legal obligation to advance the social wellbeing of older adults. The law charges the government with providing direction, guidance, and an enabling environment, with Article 8 explicitly distributing responsibility for improving elderly social welfare across government, civil society, and the family unit.

The Indonesian government has been developing community-centred care for older adults in alignment with Presidential Regulation Number 88 of 2021, which focuses on enhancing wellbeing for older adults through integrated service delivery. The Minister of Social Affairs Regulation Number 19 of 2012 sets out the framework for elderly social services, establishing programmes that include home care, social rehabilitation, and family support as tools for advancing the welfare of older people.

Both central and local governments administer a range of social protection schemes targeting the elderly. At the national level, older Indonesians have been included as beneficiaries of the Family Hope Programme (Program Keluarga Harapan: PKH) since 2016. By 2019, elderly PKH recipients numbered 1.1 million, with annual assistance of approximately IDR 2.4 million per person (as recorded by the Ministry of Social Affairs in 2019). Eligibility thresholds and benefit amounts are revised periodically, so current figures should always be confirmed directly with the Ministry of Social Affairs.

Government-led programmes have increasingly adopted a holistic approach to elderly care. Atensi-LU (social rehabilitation assistance for the elderly), for example, addresses a broad spectrum of challenges facing older people and is designed not merely to respond to medical needs but to prepare individuals for a dignified and fulfilling ageing process.

Community-based services such as the Integrated Services for Older People (Posyandu Lansia) provide age-appropriate support to the elderly through a collaborative network of community members, families, trained volunteers, and professional health workers.

The application of these policies differs considerably from one region to another, with a pronounced gap between urban areas and rural communities where health and social service capacity remains thin. Expats and non-citizens are generally excluded from the social welfare schemes described above, which are directed at Indonesian nationals — particularly those in low-income and vulnerable situations. Eligibility conditions are determined by the Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos) and should be confirmed with that body directly.

The Ministry of Health has identified four strategic actions to support older Indonesians: tackling ageism, building elder-friendly environments, delivering integrated care, and providing long-term care. Indonesia has already taken steps towards integrated care, including the launch of the Simple Health Screening for the Elderly (SKILAS) programme.

What residential, care home, and nursing home options exist in Indonesia?

Indonesia’s healthcare arrangements for older adults span both institutional and community-based settings. Nonetheless, only a small proportion of elderly Indonesians actually reside in formal care homes, largely because of the cultural values that make family-based care the default expectation. That said, the range of available options is wider than many newly arrived expats might anticipate.

There are broadly three categories of residential care in Indonesia:

• Government-run nursing homes (Panti Sosial Tresna Werdha): These facilities operate primarily on funding from government bodies and social institutions. Non-profit nursing homes generally offer a comparable standard of service to government facilities and are not limited to elderly people who have been abandoned or lack family connections — they are accessible to any older person who meets the admission criteria.
• Non-profit and faith-based homes: Operated by religious organisations and charitable foundations, these facilities often align with government-sector standards while serving particular religious or community constituencies. They are more geographically dispersed across the archipelago than private alternatives.
• Private “senior living” communities: A nascent but expanding segment of the market, private senior living facilities offer elevated comfort and amenity levels for those who can afford them. These are concentrated principally in Jakarta, Bali, and other significant urban centres.

Indonesia has approximately 14–15 gerontology specialists to serve a national population of 275 million — a striking contrast with countries such as Australia, where roughly 1,000 such specialists serve a population of around 30 million. This acute shortage of trained practitioners has a direct impact on the clinical quality of care available across all facility categories.

Oversight and accreditation of care homes falls jointly under the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) and the Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos), depending on whether a given facility is classified as a health institution or a social welfare establishment. Expats are advised to request registration and accreditation documents from any facility under consideration before making any commitment.

The eldercare sector in Indonesia continues to face structural challenges, including the cultural assumption that caregiving is a family obligation, a scarcity of licensed facilities, and the financial barriers that prevent many households from accessing formal services. Alongside the need to expand care capacity and develop skilled human resources, the importance of educating and supporting family caregivers is increasingly being recognised.

How much does elderly care cost in Indonesia?

The cost of elderly care in Indonesia varies substantially depending on the category of care, geographic location, provider, and facility standard. Costs in Jakarta and Bali are markedly higher than in smaller regional cities or rural settings. The figures below represent approximate market conditions as of 2024–2025 and should be confirmed directly with individual providers, as pricing is subject to regular change.

Indonesia is broadly a more affordable care destination than neighbouring Singapore or Australia, but at the premium end of the market, quality-adjusted costs can approach those of mid-range facilities elsewhere in the region. Always request a fully itemised fee schedule directly from any facility you are evaluating, and clarify precisely what is included in the quoted fee — medication management, physiotherapy, and memory care are frequently charged as extras.

The Ministry of Social Affairs publishes guidance on social welfare services through its official website at kemensos.go.id. No single national price register currently exists for private care facilities, making direct enquiry with individual providers essential.

Can expats access elderly care in Indonesia, and are there any restrictions?

The ability of foreign nationals to access elderly care in Indonesia depends substantially on their immigration status, the nature of the care they require, and whether that care is publicly or privately provided. The situation is meaningfully different from countries that operate reciprocal health agreements or shared regional healthcare access arrangements.

Public and subsidised care: Government-operated nursing homes and state-funded social welfare programmes are generally restricted to Indonesian citizens who satisfy specific vulnerability criteria, including low income, family abandonment, or the absence of any family support network. There is no reciprocal agreement that extends these entitlements to foreign nationals.

BPJS Kesehatan (national health insurance): Foreign nationals holding a valid KITAS (temporary stay permit) or KITAP (permanent stay permit) may enrol in BPJS Kesehatan to access basic healthcare through public hospitals. However, foreign retirees are not permitted to enrol. This distinction is critical for those on retirement-based stay permits: BPJS eligibility is linked to active formal employment, not merely to residency.

The national health insurance programme applies to all foreigners residing in Indonesia for more than six months on a working visa. Individuals staying for longer than six months on such a visa are required to register with BPJS. Retirees who are not in employment and hold a retirement-based stay permit must fund all medical and care costs entirely through private health insurance arrangements.

Private residential care: Private care homes and senior living communities are accessible to foreign nationals regardless of citizenship, so long as they are able to meet the associated costs and satisfy the facility’s individual admission criteria. No nationality restrictions apply at the private level, though the practical ability to pay — typically in advance or through verified insurance — is a prerequisite.

There is no EU-equivalent framework applicable to Indonesia, and distinctions between EU and non-EU citizens carry no legal relevance in this context. What matters is your Indonesian visa category, your employment status, and your financial capacity. For the most current rules applicable to your particular visa type, consult an immigration specialist or contact the Directorate General of Immigration directly.

What private elderly care and international options are available in Indonesia?

Indonesia’s private elderly care market is expanding, with the most visible growth occurring in key expat destinations such as Jakarta, Bali, Surabaya, and Yogyakarta. While the sector remains considerably less mature than those of Japan, Singapore, or Australia, it is drawing growing interest from both local entrepreneurs and international investors.

Private senior living services have been taking shape in recent years, delivering amenity levels and standards of care that substantially exceed what is available through government or non-profit channels. These facilities typically feature private furnished rooms, professional nursing care, nutritional management, organised activities for residents, and in some cases dedicated units for residents living with dementia.

Bali in particular has seen the emergence of retirement and assisted living communities that actively market to international residents. Many of these offer multilingual support — most commonly in English and Mandarin — and are designed to appeal to those who prefer an internationally oriented living environment. However, dedicated memory care units and specialist dementia services remain uncommon compared to countries with more established long-term care systems.

Some private operators have established referral partnerships with international healthcare providers and hospitals in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, acknowledging that advanced clinical care for elderly patients may at times require travel beyond Indonesia’s borders. Expats selecting health insurance should prioritise policies that include direct billing at leading private hospitals and medical evacuation cover to Singapore or Thailand for serious conditions.

Indonesia’s majority Muslim population means that many care facilities are naturally organised around Islamic practices — prayer spaces, halal dietary options, and religiously appropriate care routines are typically standard. Expats who observe different faiths or dietary requirements should raise these matters explicitly with prospective facilities during the assessment process.

Several private providers are already drawing on care models from Japan and Australia — countries that have navigated the challenges of population ageing ahead of Indonesia — in shaping their facility design and staff training programmes.

What role does health insurance play in covering elderly care in Indonesia?

Health insurance is fundamental to how expats access and pay for care in Indonesia. The two principal options are enrolment in the national BPJS Kesehatan scheme (where eligibility allows) and privately arranged international health insurance. Neither option provides comprehensive coverage for long-term residential care as a standard feature — a significant planning gap that expats must address independently.

BPJS Kesehatan: Indonesia’s national health insurance programme — known as JKN and administered through BPJS Kesehatan — is funded through monthly subscriber contributions. For those unable to afford premiums, government subsidy is intended to fill the gap. Current monthly contributions (based on the most recently published rates) are: Class 1 — IDR 150,000 per member; Class 2 — IDR 100,000 per member; Class 3 — IDR 42,000 per member. Always check the BPJS Kesehatan official website for the most up-to-date premium rates, as these are subject to periodic government revision.

Private international health insurance: As of 2024, the average annual cost of an individual international health insurance plan in Indonesia is approximately USD $4,764 (around IDR 79 million), with family plans averaging USD $12,909 per year. With medical inflation in Indonesia forecast at 15.1% in 2026, access to comprehensive international health coverage is increasingly a financial necessity for expatriates.

It is important to note that standard international health insurance policies are generally designed to cover acute medical treatment and hospitalisation — they do not typically extend to long-term residential nursing home or custodial care, which constitutes the kind of day-to-day support required when an older person is no longer able to live independently. Expats planning for old age in Indonesia should seek policies that specifically include:

• Long-term care or nursing home cover
• Home nursing and attendant care benefits
• Dementia and memory care coverage
• Medical evacuation to a higher-standard facility in Singapore, Bangkok, or another regional hub
• Coverage for pre-existing conditions (noting that BPJS Kesehatan does not permit exclusions on this basis — a useful baseline for those who are eligible)

Expats who are not formally employed in Indonesia are ineligible for public health insurance and must arrange private coverage independently. Retirees in particular should seek guidance from an independent insurance broker with specialist knowledge of the Indonesian market, as long-term care riders are not offered universally and policy terms can differ substantially between providers.

What should expats consider when planning for elderly care in Indonesia?

Preparing for elderly care in Indonesia as a foreign national calls for careful attention to legal, financial, and practical matters that diverge in important ways from what applies in other countries. Beginning the planning process early significantly expands your available options.

1. Understand your visa and insurance eligibility early. Your visa category determines whether you can access BPJS Kesehatan. Foreign retirees are not eligible to enrol in BPJS Kesehatan, so those on retirement visas must put comprehensive private cover in place before relocating to Indonesia — not after a health event has already occurred.
2. Arrange a power of attorney (Surat Kuasa) through a notary. Indonesian law requires a notarially certified power of attorney for another person to administer financial or medical matters on your behalf. For foreign nationals, this document must generally be authenticated and may require apostille certification. Seek out a local Indonesian notaris (notary) with experience working with foreign clients.
3. Understand advance care directives. Indonesia does not have a formally codified legal framework for advance healthcare directives comparable to those in some other countries. Communicate your wishes clearly to your next of kin and, where possible, set them out in writing with the assistance of a local legal adviser.
4. Know your next-of-kin rights as a foreign national. When a foreign national is admitted to a care facility in Indonesia, a family member residing abroad may find it difficult to exercise meaningful oversight without having obtained proper legal authorisation in advance. Indonesian civil law governs the facility’s obligations in such situations, and acting without prior documentation in place can cause serious delays.
5. Research the region you intend to live in. Elderly care policy is applied unevenly across Indonesia, with a pronounced divide between urban and rural areas where health and social services remain substantially underdeveloped. The care landscape in central Jakarta or southern Bali is very different from what is available in rural parts of Sulawesi or Kalimantan.
6. Consult a local financial and legal adviser. Property ownership regulations, inheritance law, and financial management rights for foreign nationals in Indonesia are complex areas. An adviser with specific expertise in expat circumstances can help you structure your affairs to ensure that care costs are fundable and that your assets can be managed appropriately should you become incapacitated.
7. Plan for medical evacuation. Your insurance should include evacuation cover to Singapore or Thailand for serious medical conditions. For older expats, this is not an optional enhancement — it is a core element of any realistic care plan, given the current limitations of specialist geriatric services available within Indonesia.

What are the best official sources of information on elderly care in Indonesia?

Always verify specific fees, eligibility criteria, and facility listings through official channels, as information changes regularly. Below are the most relevant official and authoritative sources for elderly care in Indonesia.

• Ministry of Social Affairs (Kementerian Sosial — Kemensos): The principal government body with responsibility for social welfare programmes serving the elderly, including public nursing homes, Atensi-LU, PKH, and social rehabilitation services. This is the primary point of contact for questions relating to publicly funded care arrangements.
• Ministry of Health (Kementerian Kesehatan — Kemenkes): Oversees health policy for the older population, including the Posyandu Lansia community health network, SKILAS health screening programmes, and the accreditation of healthcare facilities serving the elderly.
• BPJS Kesehatan: The national health insurance administrator. Use this source to check current premium rates, enrolment procedures, and the list of participating hospitals and clinics. Non-working expats and retirees should clarify their eligibility status before attempting to register.
• Ministry of Population and Family Development / BKKBN: Responsible for elderly schools (Sekolah Lansia) and integrated family resilience initiatives. Relevant for understanding community-based support programmes targeting older Indonesians.
• Directorate General of Immigration (Ditjen Imigrasi): The authoritative source for current regulations governing stay permits (KITAS/KITAP) that affect your entitlement to healthcare and social services in Indonesia.
• Your home country’s embassy in Indonesia: Most embassies maintain lists of recommended hospitals, physicians, and care facilities, and are able to provide consular assistance in medical emergencies. Consult your embassy’s website for guidance specific to your nationality.

Indonesia currently has no dedicated national ombudsman or specialist inspection authority responsible solely for oversight of care homes. Complaints concerning care facilities may be directed to the Ministry of Social Affairs (for institutions classified as social welfare establishments) or to the Ministry of Health (for facilities registered as health services). Always request a facility’s accreditation documentation prior to agreeing to a placement.

Frequently Asked Questions About Elderly Care in Indonesia

Is there a government-funded nursing home system in Indonesia that expats can use?

Government nursing homes in Indonesia are funded primarily through contributions from state bodies and social institutions. Non-profit nursing homes offer broadly similar services and are not restricted to older people who have been abandoned or lack family — they are open to any elderly person who meets their admission criteria. However, both public and subsidised facilities are generally reserved for Indonesian citizens who satisfy specific vulnerability conditions. Foreign nationals are not typically eligible for state-funded residential care and should expect to rely on the private sector.

Can I use BPJS Kesehatan as a retired expat in Indonesia?

Foreign retirees are not eligible to enrol in BPJS Kesehatan. Membership in the national health insurance scheme is ordinarily tied to formal employment in Indonesia. While expats holding a valid KITAS or KITAP may in principle enrol in BPJS Kesehatan, this generally applies to those on working visas rather than retirement stay permits. Retirees should arrange comprehensive private international health insurance before arriving in Indonesia.

What is the quality of care in Indonesian nursing homes and care facilities?

Quality differs enormously across facilities. Government and non-profit homes provide a basic standard of care but are frequently constrained by staffing shortages and limited medical equipment, particularly away from major cities. Indonesia has only around 14–15 gerontology specialists serving a population of 275 million, compared with approximately 1,000 serving Australia’s 30 million. Premium private and senior living facilities in cities such as Jakarta and Bali are capable of delivering substantially higher standards, but at a commensurately higher cost.

What happens if a family member abroad needs emergency residential care in Indonesia?

Arranging residential care placement from abroad for a relative in Indonesia who has suddenly become incapacitated can be a complex process. You will require legal authority to act on their behalf — either through a pre-existing power of attorney or, in an emergency, by travelling to Indonesia in person to arrange local legal support. Contact your home country’s embassy in Indonesia immediately, as consular services can provide practical guidance and direct you to recommended facilities and legal advisers.

Are there care facilities in Indonesia where non-Indonesian languages are spoken?

In major cities and at private hospitals, a significant proportion of doctors speak English. In smaller clinics and regional settings, English proficiency is less consistent. Premium private care facilities in Jakarta, Bali, and other cities with substantial expatriate populations are more likely to employ English-speaking staff. Mandarin-language support is also increasingly available at certain facilities catering to residents of Chinese heritage. Outside major urban centres, Bahasa Indonesia should be expected as the primary language of communication.

Does private health insurance typically cover nursing home costs in Indonesia?

Standard international health insurance products are structured to cover acute medical treatment and hospitalisation, and generally do not extend to long-term residential nursing home stays or custodial care. Covering such costs requires specific long-term care riders or dedicated long-term care insurance products. When evaluating policies, look explicitly for benefits relating to long-term care, home nursing, or assisted living. With medical inflation in Indonesia projected at 15.1% in 2026, securing comprehensive coverage at an early stage is increasingly advisable.

How does the cultural attitude toward nursing homes affect expats moving to Indonesia?

Within Indonesian cultural norms, entrusting an elderly parent’s care to a nursing home is widely perceived as an act of neglect. For expatriates, this cultural backdrop has practical consequences: the formal residential care sector is considerably less developed than in countries where institutional care is mainstream, and the supply of licensed, quality-accredited facilities is restricted. Expats who foresee the possibility of needing residential care should research available options thoroughly and make arrangements well ahead of time, as places at high-quality private facilities can be limited.

What legal documents should expats arrange before they need elderly care in Indonesia?

The most important documents to put in place proactively are: a notarially certified power of attorney (Surat Kuasa) authorising a trusted individual to manage financial and medical affairs on your behalf; a written record of your care preferences and wishes (given the absence of a standardised advance directive framework in Indonesia); and documentary confirmation that your insurance policy covers the categories of care you may eventually require. Engage a local Indonesian notaris with experience serving foreign clients, and consider retaining a legal adviser who specialises in expat affairs for ongoing support.