Universitas Indonesia (UI), through the Faculty of Nursing (FIK), successfully held Pelatihan Skrining Kesehatan Lansia Sederhana (SKILAS), or Simple Elderly Health Screening Training, based on Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE) earlier this month on September 4, 2024, at the Pulogadung District Health Center, East Jakarta. This community service program aims to improve the quality of elderly health services by involving 75 integrated health service post cadres and health workers as participants.
According to the Head of the Community Service Team, Dr. Kuntarti, S.Kp., M.Biomed, “This training aims to improve the understanding of integrated health service post cadres about the importance of early detection of health problems in the elderly. Through the ICOPE approach, cadres are trained to identify symptoms of decreased function in the elderly and assess the need for further care.”
ICOPE, initiated by the World Health Organization (WHO), is a global approach that emphasizes comprehensive and community-based care for the elderly. This approach is important considering that the elderly often face complex health challenges. ICOPE also prioritizes prevention and holistic care to maintain the independence of the elderly.
The training emphasized six main aspects that affect the health of the elderly, namely cognitive capacity, mobility, nutrition, vision, hearing, and mental health. The cadres received practical simulations in implementing health screening in the field.
Marnati, one of the integrated health service post cadres from RW 10, Jati Village, said, “This training is very useful, not only for integrated health service posts, but also for the health of our own families.”
Acting Dean of FIK UI, Dessie Wanda, S.Kp., M.N., Ph.D., expressed her commitment, “We are committed to supporting the development of the capacity of cadres and health workers in the community so that the elderly receive the best care.”
This training was supported by the UI Directorate of Community Service and Empowerment, the DKI Jakarta Health Office, and the Pulogadung Health Center. Head of the Health Center Administration Sub-Division, Mr. Yuddy, SKM, expressed his appreciation, “We are very grateful to UI and hope that cadres can help increase the awareness of the elderly to routinely check their health.”
This training demonstrates how WHO’s global approach can be adapted locally to support older people to age healthier and with more dignity.
