NERS NEWS — Surabaya – In commemoration of the National Elderly Day (HLUN) 2026, Group D1 of the Ners Professional Program, Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Airlangga, organized a Group Activity Therapy (TAK) entitled “CERDAS” (Cheerful and Active in Sharpening Elderly Memory) at the Dining Hall of UPTD Griya Wreda Jambangan, Surabaya, on Friday (June 5, 2026). This activity was attended by approximately 50 elderly participants and aimed to improve the cognitive function, motor abilities, and social interaction of older adults through various educational and enjoyable activities.
The activity began with participant registration, followed by the opening ceremony and remarks from the chief organizer, academic supervisor, and representatives of UPTD Griya Wreda Jambangan. After that, all participants took part in a brain exercise session as a warm-up before entering the series of main games. Brain exercise was chosen as an initial form of stimulation to help improve the elderly participants’ focus, concentration, and movement coordination so that they would be better prepared to participate in the subsequent activities.
The series of activities then continued with the Word Guessing game, which was designed to train long-term memory, thinking skills, communication, and participants’ social interaction. In this game, the elderly participants were divided into several groups and worked together to provide clues to other participants to guess the predetermined words. The atmosphere of the activity was lively, as the participants enthusiastically helped one another and discussed to find the correct answers.
After the Word Guessing game was completed, the activity continued with the Cup Stacking game. In this session, participants were asked to arrange colorful plastic cups according to sample patterns that had been prepared by the committee. The game aimed to train hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, accuracy, and concentration among the elderly participants. Through a relay system and facilitation by the facilitators, all participants had the opportunity to actively participate in the game.
The “CERDAS” Group Activity Therapy was organized by students of Group D1 of the Ners Professional Program, Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Airlangga, under the supervision of clinical supervisor Nisa Arfianti Wahyudi, S.Kep., Ns., and Aziz Nashiruddin Habibie, S.Kep., Ns., M.Kep., as the academic supervisor. The entire series of activities was carried out collaboratively by involving the organizing committee, facilitators, and UPTD Griya Wreda Jambangan to create a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable atmosphere for the elderly participants.
Through this activity, the Ners Professional Program students sought to provide stimulation that could help maintain the cognitive and social functions of the elderly. The various activities provided were designed according to the participants’ conditions and abilities so that they could enhance self-confidence, enthusiasm, and the active involvement of the elderly in group activities. In addition, this activity also served as a means for students to directly implement gerontic nursing practice within the elderly community.
As a form of appreciation for the participants’ involvement, the committee presented awards and prizes to the winners of the second game (Cup Stacking), the most active participant, and the most enthusiastic participant throughout the activity. In addition, all participants also received souvenirs as keepsakes and as a token of appreciation for their enthusiasm in participating in the entire series of activities. The event concluded with a brief evaluation, a joint prayer, and a group photo session involving the elderly participants, the committee, and the supervisors.
The “CERDAS” Group Activity Therapy is in line with SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being, particularly in efforts to improve the health and well-being of the elderly through cognitive stimulation, light physical activities, and strengthening social interaction. Furthermore, this activity also reflects the contribution of the Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Airlangga, in supporting promotive and preventive healthcare services for the elderly population.
Through this activity, it is hoped that the elderly participants can continue to maintain their cognitive, motor, and social functions so that they are able to experience a healthy, active, and productive old age. On the other hand, this experience also serves as a valuable learning opportunity for Ners Professional Program students in developing gerontic nursing competencies that are oriented toward community needs.
Writer: Group D1 of the Ners Professional Program, Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Airlangga
