FKEP, 2021 – Hasanuddin University through the Faculty of Nursing conducts health checks on the elderly (elderly). This community service activity is in collaboration with the Gau Mabaji Social Rehabilitation Center (BRSLU), Gowa, and was carried out on Thursday (03/06) while still implementing the Covid-19 health protocol.
Deputy Dean for Student Affairs and Alumni FKEP Unhas, Syahrul, S.Kep., Ns., M.Kes., Ph.D., who was interviewed on Tuesday (08/06) explained that the activity was carried out in commemoration of National Elderly Day (HLUN).
“FKEP Unhas was one of those invited to carry out examinations for the elderly. This is important, considering that although the majority of the elderly live with their families, there are a few elderly people who are in the hall,” he explained.
The main focus of the elderly health examination is to identify the risk of falling, considering that due to the aging process and comorbidities, the risk of the elderly falling is quite high. Identifying the risk of falling in the elderly can be done in the form of measuring walking speed, grip strength and kicking strength. With early identification, it is hoped that the elderly and the office will be able to take falls independently in the future.
In addition to community service activities, FKEP Unhas also signed an extension of the MoU of cooperation between FKEP Unhas and BRSLU Gau Mabaji which has been established since 2000. The collaborations include the implementation of nursing professional practice, research, and community service. “FKEP Unhas lecturers and students have been actively participating in the development of elderly services at BRSLU, and I hope this activity can continue to be carried out regularly and continuously,” he concluded.
He also hopes that this health promotion activity will not only focus on the community level, but can reach people at the wider regional level.
Author: Anisa Susianti