Empowering the Elderly: Optimizing Coping Through Stress Management for Chronic Diseases in the Limo Subdistrict Work Area

FIKES UPNVJ - In Indonesia, the elderly population, individuals aged 60 years and above, currently makes up 12% of the total population, with around 29 million people. As Indonesia experiences population aging, the prevalence of chronic diseases among the elderly, such as hypertension and diabetes, presents serious challenges. National data shows high rates of chronic conditions among the elderly, including multimorbidity affecting 15.8% of this demographic. To support the elderly in managing their health and overall well-being, empowering programs like "Progressive Muscle Relaxation Therapy" are crucial for helping them cope with stress, adapt to health issues, and maintain their mental and physical health. It is essential to address the needs of the aging population in Indonesia by providing targeted support to enhance their quality of life and well-being. On August 14, 2025, the Community Service Team of the Faculty of Health Sciences (FIKES) at UPN “Veteran” Jakarta, consisting of faculty members and students, conducted an activity themed “Empowering the Elderly: Optimizing Coping Through Stress Management in Chronic Diseases in Limo Village.”

The activity was led by Ns. Santi Herlina, M.Kep., Sp.Kep.MB, with faculty members including Ns. Duma Lumban Tobing, M.Kep., Sp.Kep.J, Ns. Chandra Tri Wahyudi, M.Kes., M.Kep., Sang Ayu Made Adyani, M.Kep., Sp.Kep.Kom, Ns. Dora Samaria, M.Kep., Ns. Dwi Suratmini, S.Kep, M.Kep and Ns. Raphita Diorarta, M.Kep., Sp.Kep.J, as well as involving students consisting of 2 Nursing Profession students, 5 Bachelor of Nursing students, and 2 Associate Degree in Nursing students. This activity was held at the Dahlia Senja Health Post, Limo Village, Limo District, Depok City, with the aim of improving the ability of the elderly to recognize psychosocial problems and detect early issues that could affect their condition, especially among the elderly with chronic illnesses. Additionally, the activity aims to provide alternative solutions through the practice of progressive muscle relaxation therapy as a simple method for stress management. By implementing this therapy, it is hoped that the elderly will be able to reduce tension, manage stress, and enhance coping mechanisms to better adapt to their health conditions.

The event began at 7:00 a.m. with free health checks for the elderly. These checks included blood pressure, blood sugar, and uric acid tests. After the health checks, the elderly were directed to fill out a pre-test with the help of students. This was followed by an opening by the MC, then the singing of the Indonesian national anthem and the Bela Negara march. Next, speeches were delivered by the head of the community service team, the head of Posbindu Dahlia Senja, and the Secretary of Limo Village. Ms. Santi Herlina, M.Kep., Sp.Kep.MB, explained the condition of the elderly who are prone to chronic diseases and the importance of stress management to maintain their health. Meanwhile, the Secretary of Limo Village, Mr. Eko Budi, S.Sos., M.Si., expressed his appreciation for the event and hoped that the information provided would enhance knowledge and encourage behavioral changes among the elderly toward a healthier lifestyle. The event concluded with the symbolic presentation of a plaque to Posbindu Dahlia Senja as a token of appreciation for their collaboration and support in this elderly empowerment initiative. The next series of events was a presentation by Ns. Santi Herlina, M.Kep., Sp.Kep.MB. on the definition of chronic diseases, various types of chronic diseases commonly experienced by the elderly, as well as risk factors and causes of chronic diseases in the elderly. Next, the material was presented by Ms. Duma Lumban Tobing, M.Kep., Sp.Kep.J, who discussed psychosocial issues in the elderly with chronic diseases, as well as the importance of stress management and adaptive coping strategies. In this session, progressive muscle relaxation therapy was also introduced as a simple method that can help the elderly reduce stress and lower muscle tension. 

After the presentation of the material, the activity continued with a demonstration and re-demonstration of progressive muscle relaxation therapy. The elderly were trained to perform relaxation techniques by tensing and relaxing the muscles of the body gradually, starting from the facial muscles, arms, chest, abdomen, and legs. During the re-demonstration, the students assessed the elderly participants' ability to perform the therapy independently. Before the community service event concluded, the elderly participants were also guided to complete a post-test with student assistance to evaluate their understanding and skills acquired.

The event concluded with a closing statement from the head of the community service team, Ns. Santi Herlina, M.Kep., Sp.Kep.MB, who gave positive reinforcement to the elderly about the importance of maintaining mental and physical health through stress management. As a closing, the elderly who participated in the event were given a booklet on progressive muscle relaxation therapy as a guide so that they could practice it independently at home. The event took place on time and was attended by 49 elderly people. The atmosphere of the event became even more lively with an angklung performance by the elderly participants. Ms. Santi Herlina, M.Kep., Sp.Kep.MB, as the chairperson of the community service program, stated that the elderly participants actively engaged in the activity and demonstrated great enthusiasm in reenacting the progressive muscle relaxation therapy that had been taught. Based on the feedback and impressions shared, all participants expressed that “This progressive muscle relaxation therapy activity is very beneficial for the elderly.” This was evident from the participants’ high level of enthusiasm throughout the entire event. Additionally, the representative of Posbindu Dahlia Senja, Mrs. Hj. Ratna, as the chairperson, stated that “The materials provided and the progressive muscle relaxation therapy taught were easy to understand and can be practiced daily with family members. Through this activity, the elderly gained new knowledge that is beneficial for supporting their health.” Progressive muscle relaxation therapy is a simple yet effective method that can significantly improve the quality of life for the elderly. Through this empowerment, the elderly are expected to gain greater control over their health and well-being, thereby creating a positive and sustainable impact. This also underscores the importance of community partnerships in addressing the health needs of the elderly. Through collaboration between healthcare professionals, community organizations, and the community, a more supportive, healthy, and inclusive environment can be created for the elderly