Active Ageing in Medan: Rico Waas Urges Seniors to Stay Inspired and Engaged

MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM - Medan Mayor, Rico Waas, has encouraged elderly residents in Medan not to let age become a limitation. Instead, he urged them to remain active, creative, and continue serving as role models within their families and communities. His remarks were delivered during the 30th National Elderly Day (Hari Lanjut Usia Nasional/HLUN) celebration, organized by the Medan City Government through the Social Affairs Office (Dinas Sosial Kota Medan) at Hotel Madani Medan.

The event took place in a warm and family-oriented atmosphere, attended by senior citizens from various districts across Medan. Participants engaged in a series of activities combining entertainment and educational elements.

Age Is Not an End, But a Meaningful Stage of Life

In his address, Rico Waas emphasized that every stage of life carries its own value, from childhood and youth to old age, each representing an essential phase in human development.

"Never say you are too old. Every single day of life has meaning," he said.

He further highlighted that old age represents a period of wisdom and accumulated experience that can be passed on to younger generations. According to him, such life experiences serve as a vital foundation for strong family structures and a resilient society.

Medan's Commitment Toward an Age-Friendly City

The Medan City Government continues to strengthen its efforts to build an age-friendly urban environment. In addition to inclusive public spaces and accessible sports facilities, the administration is also expanding social protection programs for elderly residents.

One of the highlighted initiatives is the PKH Medan Makmur program, which targets vulnerable groups, including senior citizens and persons with disabilities. The program is expected to reach up to 10,000 beneficiaries annually.

"These programs are not only about financial assistance, but also about improving the dignity and quality of life of our seniors," Rico Waas stated.

Seniors as Valuable Social Capital

Head of the Medan Social Affairs Office, Khoiruddin Rangkuti, also emphasized that elderly citizens represent valuable social capital. Their life experiences, he noted, continue to strengthen families and communities across generations.

HLUN Celebration: Education, Entertainment, and Community Spirit

The HLUN celebration in Medan featured a range of activities, including interactive discussions, free psychological counseling services, an MSME (UMKM) bazaar run by senior participants, cultural performances, and a raffle draw.

Representatives from the Indonesian Elderly Organization (Lembaga Lanjut Usia Indonesia/LLI) and numerous city officials also attended the event. Key highlights included gift distributions and interactive games with participants.

Editorial Conclusion: Medan Strengthens Senior Inclusion

The 30th HLUN celebration became an important moment highlighting Medan's commitment to inclusive and intergenerational development. Senior citizens are not only seen as beneficiaries of social programs but also as active contributors to public life. (IDNC)

REPORTER: Teguh Panjaitan | EDITOR: Fik Sagala