Optimalisasi peran dan fungsi kader dalam pendampingan lansia dengan penyakit kronis di wilayah kerja puskesmas manis jaya

This community service (PkM) initiative addresses the rising incidence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as hypertension and diabetes, among the elderly, who necessitate continuous community-based support. Within the operational area of Puskesmas Manis Jaya, health cadres, who are pivotal in service delivery, have not yet fully realized their roles and functions, particularly in early detection, education, and support for elderly individuals with chronic conditions. The primary challenges faced by partner targets include limited knowledge and skills among the cadres, insufficient capacity for independent health monitoring, and the lack of a structured and sustainable support system. Numerous studies have demonstrated that enhancing cadre capacity through training and mentoring can significantly improve their abilities in early NCD detection, health education, and chronic disease management at the community level. To address these issues, this PkM initiative proposes interventions comprising integrated training for cadres, on-site mentoring, and routine screening and educational activities for the elderly and their families. Additionally, this PkM incorporates a monitoring and evaluation system to ensure improvements in cadres’ competencies and the sustainability of activities. A multidimensional evaluation is also conducted to assess factors influencing cognitive decline and quality of life through comprehensive screening by the research team. Through a community empowerment approach, cadres are expected to become active facilitators in supporting the elderly, not only during posyandu activities but also through home visits and regular health monitoring. The anticipated outcomes of this initiative include enhanced knowledge and skills of cadres in chronic disease management, the development of a health cadre companion module for elderly care, and increased active participation of cadres in elderly health services. Furthermore, it is expected that there will be an improvement in the quality of life of the elderly through better management of chronic diseases. This program will also culminate in scientific publications in international PkM journals and HKI, serving as a means of disseminating the results of the activities.