NERS NEWS – Surabaya, June 20, 2026 – Professional Nursing Students from the Gerontic Nursing Clinical Rotation at Universitas Airlangga conducted a Group Activity Therapy (GAT) session entitled “Human Snakes and Ladders” on Saturday, June 20, 2026, from 08:10 to 09:00 WIB at Griya Werdha Jambangan, Surabaya. The activity was organized through the collaboration of Professional Nursing Students from Blocks A, B, and C as part of an initiative to enhance older adults’ physical activity, cognitive function, and social interaction through an enjoyable educational game. By adapting the classic snakes and ladders game into a life-sized version, participants were encouraged to stay physically active, interact with one another, and exercise their thinking skills in a lively and enjoyable atmosphere.
The therapy utilized a human-sized snakes and ladders board, where participants acted as the game pieces. Each older adult took turns rolling a dice and moving according to the number rolled. Upon landing on designated squares, participants were asked to answer simple questions, perform light physical exercises, or complete challenges designed to stimulate cognitive and motor functions. In Block B, the activity involved seven older adults, all of whom demonstrated great enthusiasm throughout the session. Participants actively followed instructions, encouraged one another, and enthusiastically completed every challenge. The session was characterized by a warm, cheerful atmosphere filled with laughter and positive interactions between the older adults and the nursing students.
This Group Activity Therapy aimed to improve the quality of life of older adults by stimulating their physical, psychological, cognitive, and social well-being through engaging activities. Enjoyable activities involving body movement have been shown to help older adults remain active, boost self-confidence, and reduce boredom associated with daily routines. Furthermore, the program served as an opportunity to strengthen social relationships among residents and encourage greater participation in group activities. The implementation of this therapy aligns with the promotion of healthy ageing and supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) by promoting the health and well-being of older adults, SDG 4 (Quality Education) through innovative and participatory health education, and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by fostering collaboration between educational institutions and social service providers.
Through this activity, the students hope to encourage older adults to maintain their motivation to stay physically active, socialize, and participate in activities that promote their health and well-being. For the nursing students, the program also provided valuable hands-on experience in applying a holistic gerontic nursing approach focused on enhancing the quality of life of older adults. As members of Group 3, Wave 3 of the Professional Nursing Gerontic Clinical Rotation, the students remain committed to developing creative, educational, and enjoyable programs as a meaningful contribution to supporting the health, happiness, and overall well-being of older adults.
Author: Carissa Lintang Ivana
Editor: Raffa Nadiya Primatiana (Airlangga Nursing Journalist)
