How UNESA Pre-service PPG Students Improve the Quality of Life of the Elderly through Reminiscence Therapy

22 April 2024 - kategori Reduced Inequalities 5 Views

Unesa.ac.id, SURABAYA-There are many ways that can be done to improve the quality of life of the elderly, one of which can be by providing reminiscence therapy as carried out by a group of Social Work study program students, Pre-Service PPG Surabaya State University (UNESA) at Griya Lansia Khusnul Khatimah, Malang on Saturday, April 20, 2024.

The chief executive, Salvinia Salvy Prihanta, said that the purpose of this activity which is a community service program is to improve the quality of life of the elderly through the return of past memories through the reminiscence therapy approach. This approach can maintain the mental health of the elderly.

According to her, recalling happy events in the past can be one of the motivations of the elderly and can be a coping mechanism to deal with stress.

The reason is, at an age that is no longer young, requires several activities that can help to optimize the mechanism of brain function in order to simultaneously reduce the risk of dementia or senile symptoms.

“In addition, through several activities later it can train cognitive skills and provide meaningful learning while increasing the confidence of the elderly,” he said.

The Reminiscence Therapy activity was attended by approximately 50 elderly people. This activity also involved students from the State Vocational High School (SMKN) 2 Malang City with the Social Work department concentrating on the elderly.

The elderly were invited to cook traditional klepon food and eat it together with the students and the entire committee. In addition, old songs and tunes were played to support the feel of reminiscing about the past of the elderly.

Sahensah Daniati Puspitasari, one of the students, said that there are many activities that can be followed to hone the ability to serve the elderly as they have learned during class.

“This activity is important for us students, so we have experience on how to make the elderly less stressed and happier with their lives,” she said.

This activity received a positive response from the Daily Chairperson of Griya Lansia Husnul Khatimah, Nur Hadi. He said that Griya Lansia Husnul Khatimah was ready to become a real place of learning for everyone.

The place of learning in question is how to foster and increase the empathy of students or students to elderly parents, and others.

“I feel very happy for the presence of UNESA PPG students and SMKN 2 Malang students. I hope that activities like this can be carried out on a continuing basis so that the elderly feel they have friends,” said Nur Hadi.

Griya Lansia Husnul Khatimah cares for at least 160 elderly people who have no family to care for them. Mbah Prapto, one of the elderly, admitted that she really likes singing activities. With this activity, he hopes to entertain those who feel lonely. []

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Author: Novita Permatasari (Social Work Pre-service PPG Student Year 2023 UNESA)

Editor: @zam*

Photo: UNESA Pre-service PPG student team documentation

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