The findings matter as Indonesia faces a rapidly aging population and a growing burden of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and type 2 diabetes. Programs like Prolanis, developed by BPJS Kesehatan, are designed to reduce complications through preventive care and regular monitoring. However, participation and adherence among elderly patients remain inconsistent, often due to low awareness, limited confidence, and lack of family support.
Growing Health Challenges Among the Elderly
Indonesia’s elderly population continues to rise each year, increasing the urgency of effective chronic disease management. Many older adults experience degenerative conditions that require continuous care, lifestyle adjustments, and medication adherence. Without proper support systems, these patients face higher risks of complications, reduced quality of life, and increased healthcare costs.
Previous studies have shown that adherence to treatment plans is influenced by multiple factors, including education level, motivation, and family involvement. Among these, self-efficacy—the confidence in one’s ability to manage health—plays a central role. Elderly individuals with low self-efficacy are less likely to follow medical advice or participate in structured health programs.
Simple, Participatory Approach to Behavior Change
The research team, including Michelle Kairupan, Olvin Manengkey, Verra Karame, Esther Lontoh, Drova Manorek, and Rivani Muntu, implemented a participatory empowerment program involving 30 participants—elderly Prolanis members and their family caregivers.
The intervention combined several practical strategies:
- Health education sessions using simple materials
- Interactive discussions to identify real-life challenges
- Role-playing exercises to train family support skills
- Personal coaching to build confidence and motivation
The program followed a pre-test and post-test design to measure changes in knowledge, self-efficacy, and adherence. This approach allowed the researchers to directly observe behavioral improvements after the intervention.
Key Findings Show Significant Improvement
The results reveal a clear and measurable impact across all indicators:
- Knowledge: Increased significantly, with 83.3% of participants reaching a “good” level after the program
- Self-efficacy: Improved, with 80% of participants moving into a moderate confidence category
- Adherence: Rose sharply, with 86.7% of participants showing better compliance and more consistent participation
Before the intervention, most participants had limited understanding of Prolanis and low confidence in managing their conditions. After the program, many became more proactive, regularly attending health activities and following treatment recommendations.
Participant data also revealed important demographic insights. Most elderly participants were aged 60–69, predominantly female, with basic education levels and no formal employment. Hypertension was the most common condition, followed by diabetes and combined diagnoses. These characteristics highlight the need for accessible, easy-to-understand health interventions tailored to vulnerable populations.
Family Support Emerges as a Critical Factor
One of the most significant findings is the role of family involvement. The study shows that elderly participants who received active support from family members were more likely to adhere to treatment schedules, attend Prolanis activities, and maintain healthier behaviors.
Family members acted as reminders for medication, companions for clinic visits, and emotional supporters. This close interaction created a supportive environment that encouraged consistency and accountability.
The research team from Universitas Pembangunan Indonesia Manado emphasized that empowerment is not limited to the individual patient. Instead, it must include the family as an active partner in healthcare.
As the authors explain, empowering both elderly individuals and their families creates “a sustainable support system that strengthens confidence and promotes long-term adherence to health programs.”
Real-World Impact for Healthcare and Policy
The implications of this study extend beyond one community health center. It offers a scalable model for improving chronic disease management across Indonesia and similar settings.
For healthcare providers, the findings highlight the importance of combining education with interactive and personalized approaches. Traditional lecture-based methods are less effective compared to participatory strategies that engage patients and families directly.
For policymakers, the study reinforces the need to integrate family-based interventions into public health programs. Strengthening community-level support systems can reduce healthcare costs by preventing complications and hospitalizations.
For society, the research underscores a simple but powerful message: managing chronic disease is not an individual responsibility alone. Collective support—from family, healthcare workers, and the community—is essential for sustainable health outcomes.
Building Sustainable Support Systems
To ensure long-term impact, the program also introduced support groups for elderly participants and their families. These groups provide ongoing motivation, shared learning, and peer encouragement, helping participants maintain healthy behaviors beyond the intervention period.
The researchers recommend that community health centers continue regular education programs, strengthen family engagement, and develop innovative interventions to sustain behavioral change over time.
Author Profile
Michelle Kairupan is a nursing academic at the Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Pembangunan Indonesia Manado, specializing in community health and elderly care. She collaborated with Olvin Manengkey, Verra Karame, Esther Lontoh, Drova Manorek, and Rivani Muntu, who share expertise in nursing science, public health, and community-based healthcare interventions.
Source
Kairupan, M., Manengkey, O., Karame, V., Lontoh, E., Manorek, D., & Muntu, R. (2026). Empowering Older Adults and Their Families to Enhance Self-Efficacy in Support of Prolanis Program Adherence at the Motoling Barat Community Health Center. Jurnal Pengabdian Pancasila (JPP), Vol. 5(1), 55–66. https://doi.org/10.55927/jpp.v5i1.8, URL: https://journaljpp.my.id/index.php/jpp
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