Sahaja Training to Care for Older People in Denpasar

The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia states that Indonesia is currently entering a period of aging population, marked by an increase in life expectancy followed by a rise in the number of older people. This condition will bring challenges from various aspects of life, one of which is the increase in the dependency ratio of older people. Dependency in older people occurs due to physical, mental, and social decline, which is reflected in weakness, functional limitations, incapacity, and obstacles associated with the aging process. Therefore, as an effort to maintain the health and productivity of older people in society, the Indonesian government established a health service organization called Posyandu Lansia (Integrated Community Health Post for Older People).

Posyandu Lansia is a health service for older people based on Community-Based Health Efforts (UKBM). It is carried out in accordance with government policies through the Puskesmas (Public Health Center) programs, involving the participation of older people, families, community leaders, and social organizations. Posyandu Lansia is provided as a health service facility for older people, conducted by, for, and from older people, focusing on promotive and preventive services, while not neglecting curative and rehabilitative efforts. Services provided in Posyandu Lansia include exercises for older people, the provision of medicine packages, nutritional food packages (PMT), and health check-ups. In its implementation, each Posyandu will have kader who assist in the process of health services with guidance from Puskesmas health workers. These kader are usually volunteers from the local community who are trained to provide basic health services and health education for older people.

Denpasar is the capital city and the center of government and the economy of Bali Province. The number of older people in Denpasar in 2023 is 68,478. People categorized as pre-elderly are those who have lived more than half of their life, aged between 45-59 years, while those categorized as elderly are those aged 60 years and older. Health services for pre-elderly and older groups in Denpasar are integrated into the active Posyandu Lansia, with a total of 363 posts. In collaboration with one of the Puskesmas in Denpasar, Puskesmas I Denpasar Utara, the Sahaja Dharma Sejahtera Foundation strives to provide health services for older people as well as training and health education for Posyandu Lansia kader as a form of knowledge refreshment.

Puskesmas I Denpasar Utara serves three villages and one sub-district: Dangin Puri Kangin, Dangin Puri Kauh, Dangin Puri Kaja, and Tonja Sub-district. According to the Data and Information Center, there are 5,547 older people living within the area served by Puskesmas I Denpasar Utara. Of these, 514 are categorized as low-income older people according to the Integrated Social Welfare Data from the Denpasar Social Service. Additionally, there are 30 older people categorized as Resti (unable to be active), with moderate to severe dependency.

On Saturday (04/05/2024), at the meeting room of Puskesmas I Denpasar Utara, 40 Posyandu Lansia kader from the villages of Dangin Puri Kangin and Dangin Puri Kauh participated in a training session held by the Sahaja Dharma Sejahtera Foundation. In its implementation, the Posyandu in these areas will be run by five kader, consisting of younger group leaders and older people as the main motivators. This is intended to ensure that the older kader can better engage their peers in participating in the activities of Posyandu Lansia.

The training session included educational activities led by four founders of the Sahaja Foundation. The event began with a prayer and speeches from the Head of Puskesmas I Denpasar Utara and the Chairperson of the Sahaja Dharma Sejahtera Foundation, Dr. dr. Gusti Putu Suka Aryana, Sp.PD-KGer. The kader were then asked to complete a pre-test questionnaire to assess their knowledge of older people care.

The first session covered personal hygiene needs for older people, presented by Dr. Ns. Putu Ayu Sani Utami, S.Kep., M.Kep., Sp.Kep.Kom. Dr. Sani explained how older people, as a vulnerable group, should maintain personal hygiene from head to toe to prevent the risk of infections.

The second session, conducted by Bapak I Gede Putu Darma Suyasa, S.Kp., M.Ng., PhD, focused on first aid for emergencies in older people, such as unconsciousness due to heart failure, heart attacks, lung infections, or other conditions like burns, fractures, bleeding, shock, and choking.

In the next session, Dr. dr. Gusti Putu Suka Aryana, Sp.PD-KGer, introduced the Sahaja Dharma Sejahtera Foundation and presented information on the Simple Elderly Screening (SKILAS), as well as a simulation of its application with older people.

The final session was presented by Ibu Made Diah Lestari, S.Psi., M.Psi., Ph.D., discussing family care for older people in performing Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs), as well as care for older people with chronic diseases or disabilities. After the material sessions, the event continued with a Q&A session, where kader asked questions that were answered by the presenters.

The event was participated in with enthusiasm by the kader, who expressed gratitude for the valuable knowledge shared. They also appreciated the Sahaja Foundation’s concern for older people in Denpasar. At the end of the event, the kader completed a post-test questionnaire, and the session was closed with a prayer.

The Chairperson of Sahaja Dharma Sejahtera Foundation, Dr. dr. Gusti Putu Suka Aryana, Sp.PD-KGer, mentioned that this training session is the beginning of a collaboration between the foundation and Puskesmas I Denpasar Utara as the first pilot area in an effort to create healthy, happy, and prosperous older people (in line with our slogan) in Denpasar. In the following activities, the Sahaja Foundation will provide home visits by our health staff to low-income Resti older people in the village of Dangin Puri Kaja. The same training will also be conducted with Posyandu Lansia kader from other villages in Denpasar.