Extended Family Care: Home Visit for Older People in the Puskesmas I Denpasar Utara Area
Extended Family Care is a program aimed at providing continuous care for older people through a multigenerational approach. In this program, the involvement of the extended family becomes the key to strengthening the physical, emotional, and social well-being of older people holistically. Extended Family Care is implemented through home visit activities, which aim to enhance the role of the extended family in the healthcare of older people. In this program, the Foundation not only conducts visits to provide direct care but also trains the families of older people to continue care independently at home. By empowering families in the healthcare of older people, it is hoped that intergenerational relationships will be strengthened and the well-being of older people can be well maintained.
The Extended Family Care program, part of Sahaja Caring, was first implemented through a collaboration with Puskesmas I Denpasar Utara. In carrying out this program, we provided free services to four older people with diverse health conditions, through a series of five visits to ensure the health needs of older people were fully met. Below is a detailed explanation of our second patient’s condition:
Our second patient, Mrs. SM, 65 years old, suffers from cataracts and hypertension. In her daily life, she is only able to sit or lie down due to physical limitations that affect basic activities such as eating and going to the toilet, thus requiring assistance from others. This condition has caused stiffness in her body, especially in her hands and legs, which feel rigid and painful when moved. Additionally, she complains of a lack of appetite due to a bitter taste in her mouth, frequent weakness, and difficulty sleeping, particularly at night. Mrs. SM also takes various types of stomach medications from different brands to address her acid reflux issues.
Based on further observations, it was found that Mrs. SM never eats breakfast and only has lunch after her grandchild returns from school. This is due to the family routine, where her child has to work in the morning while her grandchild only comes home in the afternoon.
Mrs. SM lives with her child and grandchild in a rented room. They sleep on a thin mattress that is worn out and dirty. Air ventilation is very limited, the window does not function, and the room does not receive sunlight, making the condition very damp.
Seeing this condition, we planned appropriate services to help improve Mrs. SM’s quality of life. We provided education to the patient and her family regarding care that can be done at home, including the importance of a regular eating schedule and improving the cleanliness of the living environment. We also gave advice on arranging household items so that they do not block the patient’s movement pathways, thereby reducing the risk of bumping into or falling when she tries to move independently. In addition, we reminded the family to ensure that the bathroom floor is not slippery to avoid accidents that could harm Mrs. SM when using the bathroom.
To improve the patient’s mobility, we encouraged Mrs. SM to perform Range of Motion (ROM) exercises regularly to reduce body stiffness and improve flexibility. We also prescribed blood pressure medication through the local health center (puskesmas) to control her hypertension.
During the home visit, we observed significant improvements in Mrs. SM’s mobility. She is now able to move her body more freely and can perform some activities independently, despite still fumbling due to her cataracts. In addition, Mrs. SM is now able to help with light housework to fill her free time. Her personal hygiene is well-maintained. We are also pleased to see her appetite improving, and her hypertension is now well-controlled thanks to her adherence to taking medication regularly. The condition of her living space has also greatly improved, as household items have been rearranged to ensure a safer and more comfortable environment for Mrs. SM.
We are very grateful for this progress, which is undoubtedly due to the active support of her family, who have been instrumental in helping Mrs. SM’s recovery process. The family’s involvement in caring for and accompanying Mrs. SM has played a crucial role in achieving this significant progress.
During the final visit, we provided assistance in the form of a bed frame and a more comfortable mattress for Mrs. SM. This assistance aims to improve her sleep quality, provide greater comfort while resting, and support her ongoing physical recovery. We hope that with better facilities, Mrs. SM can feel more comfortable and have enough energy to carry out daily activities.
We are very happy to see the positive progress experienced by Mrs. SM. We hope that Mrs. SM and her family will always be blessed with happiness, health, and endless love.
“Caring for parents is not merely an obligation, but also a way to express gratitude for their love and sacrifices. What we give will return to us in the form of profound happiness and stronger relationships.”
