UNAIR NEWS – On Tuesday, August 17, 2021, right on the commemoration of Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia, the Faculty of Nursing Universitas Airlangga held another community service activity. With red and white dress code, all lecturers consisted of Ferry Efendi, S.Kep., Ns., M.Sc., Ph.D, Dr. Hanik Endang Nihayati, S.Kep.Ns., M.Kep., Dr. Retno Indarwati, S.Kep., Ns., M.Kep, students, and the community participated enthusiastically while still paying attention to health protocols. This activity was also supported by the field technical team, Fildzah Cindra Yunita and Faisal Adi Irawan.
The team highlighted problems on elderly’s health because it needs serious attention. An elderly group is a population group that needs access to health services because most of them have chronic/degenerative diseases. Health complaints experienced by the elderly do not always impact and disrupt daily activities, but they can affect health. The role of the family as a caregiver is needed to support the healthcare of the elderly at home.
As the Head of Community Service, Ferry Efendi, S.Kep., Ns., M.Sc., Ph.D, said that this activity was intended to facilitate access to information on elderly care. Following current technological developments, the implementation of Android-based information media is the right choice because it is easily accessible to the wider community. The Elderly Caregiver Application contains information on health education and health checks for the elderly, making it easier for caregivers to take care of the elderly at home.
“As a follow-up to this community service activity, online mentoring will be carried out by a team of service and elderly companions of Panca Hebat Elderly Association RT 12 and 02, Pacar Kembang urban community, Tambaksari Sub-district, Surabaya City,” said Ferry.
Furthermore, this activity is also an effort to empower the community and increase the role of the community in improving the health of the community. A community service program using android-based technology app is an effort to empower communities and families in optimizing the health of the elderly in accordance with national health achievements.
“This innovation service is expected to provide solutions to community problems, maximize the elderly care for the benefit of the community and the elderly community,” added Ferry.
The information can be the first step in optimizing the role of families and communities in participating in government programs by providing easy and fast access to information. So that it is expected to meet the needs of the elderly, prevent complications, and maintain an optimal quality of life for the elderly. (*)
Author: Ika Adelia Susanti
