Two Surabaya Campuses Teach Healthy Lifestyles, Accompanying Elderly Groups in Bojonegoro

In Bojonegoro, East Java, the Tikung Hamlet meeting hall buzzed with the energy of elderly residents participating in a health program. Accompanied by gentle exercise music, dozens of participants moved with enthusiasm, demonstrating a strong will to stay active despite occasional discomforts. This morning activity is more than just group exercise; it's an effort by the seniors to maintain health, independence, and a better quality of life in their later years.

The initiative is part of a community service project by Stikes Katolik St. Vincentius A Paulo Surabaya and Universitas Katolik Widya Mandala Surabaya. Running from May to August 2026, the program supports the Prolanis Margo Waras group, addressing the growing need for health assistance among the elderly, particularly in semi-rural areas like Desa Gondang, where many residents work as farmers or in the informal sector and have limited access to advanced healthcare.

Anastasia Putu Martha Anggarani, the project leader from Stikes Katolik St. Vincentius A Paulo Surabaya, highlighted the program's goal of creating a sustainable support system. "We want to provide ongoing assistance, not just a one-off event," she stated. "The hope is that the elderly remain active, while local cadres gain the skills to continue supporting them independently."

Funded by the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology, the program uses a community empowerment model focused on partnership. It aims to enhance the physical function of seniors, strengthen the capacity of Prolanis cadres, and establish simple, sustainable mechanisms for monitoring physical health. The activities include tailored exercise routines to improve balance, flexibility, and muscle strength, along with educational sessions on using assistive devices and understanding health indicators.

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We want to provide ongoing assistance, not just a one-off event. The hope is that the elderly remain active, while local cadres gain the skills to continue supporting them independently.