NERS NEWS — As a form of concern for the cognitive function of the elderly, Professional Nursing students of Universitas Airlangga held a unique Group Activity Therapy (TAK) at Panti Griya Wreda Jambangan, Surabaya with the theme “Cognitive Stimulation Therapy for the Elderly” on Saturday, June 20, 2026, in the yard of Griya Wreda Surabaya. These students utilized the traditional snakes and ladders game that had been modified as a Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) medium to train memory and executive function of the elderly.
This TAK activity was packaged interactively through a group game method and supported by visual media in the form of a communicative giant snakes and ladders banner. This therapy was focused on stimulating memory and executive function of the elderly at Panti Griya Wreda Jambangan, Surabaya in order to maintain the sharpness of their cognitive function.
This health education activity was carried out by Professional Nursing students of Batch B27 Groups D4.1, D4.2, D4.3, D4.4, D4.5, S1.1, S1.2, and S1.3, Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Airlangga with the assistance of academic supervisors Rista Fauziningtyas, S.Kep., Ns., M.Kep., Ph.D, Neisya Pratiwindya Sudarsiwi, S.Kep., Ns., M.Kep, Elida Ulfiana, S.Kep., Ns., M.Kep, Retno Indarwati, S.Kep., Ns., M.Kep, Setho Hadisuyatmana, S.Kep., Ns., M.NS (CommHlth&PC), Ph.D, Sylvia Dwi Wahyuni, S.Kep., Ns., M.Kep., Eka Misbahatul Mar’ah Has, S.Kep., Ns., M.Kep., Aziz Nashiruddin Habibie, S.Kep., Ns., M.Kep and clinical supervisors Satria Windhi Abdillah, S.Kep., Ns., I Made Devin Satriya P, S.Kep., Ns., R. Bagus Gondo Utomo, S.Kep., Ns., Eka Hariyanti, S.Kep., Ns., Intania Rochim, S.Kep., Ns., Nisa Afrianti Wahyudi, S.Kep., Ns., and Ika Tantia Wahyuningtyas, S.Kep., Ns., attended by elderly participants at Griya Wreda Surabaya, who mainly experienced mild to moderate decline in memory function. The characteristics of participants were specifically selected so that stimulation through this snakes and ladders game could run effectively in training concentration.
Through this therapy, the elderly are expected to maintain optimal memory function and train their thinking ability and concentration in daily life. With consistent stimulation, the elderly are expected to remain independent and active in activities at the nursing home. Participants’ enthusiasm was clearly seen from their laughter and active participation during the game. The elderly appeared to encourage one another, focus on counting dice steps, and enthusiastically answer challenges and share memories from the past when their pieces landed on snakes and ladders squares.
This PKRS activity, “Cognitive Stimulation Therapy for the Elderly,” is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being, through promotive and preventive efforts to improve patients’ health status.
- SDG 4: Quality Education, through the provision of systematic, easy-to-understand, and applicable health education.
This Group Activity Therapy (TAK) activity was carried out successfully and received a warm welcome from all participants and nursing home managers. It is hoped that this stimulation program can provide a real contribution to gerontological nursing management, especially in optimizing cognitive function and independence of the elderly at Griya Wreda Surabaya.
Writer: Yunita Dwi Nurhaliza
