Far from the stereotypical image of senile elderly weakened by arthritis, dozens of senior citizens in Gandaria Selatan, South Jakarta, had their hands up in the air as they moved actively following instructions from a video played in front of them.

The exercise, designed specifically for senior citizens, is facilitated by an integrated health service for the elderly (Posyandu Lansia), which is provided every third Wednesday of the month. At the Posyandu, senior citizens can also get a health checkup and information on a healthy lifestyle tailored to their advanced age.

After 30 minutes of exercise, they sang the national anthem “Indonesia Raya” and their own song, “Happy in Old Age.”

At first, Rahmat Rangkuti, 82, and his wife Irawati, 61, visited Posyandu Lansia Anggrek in the Gandaria Selatan subdistrict only for the health checkup, as the place is not far from their house.

After coming to the monthly event for two years, however, Rahmat discovered more benefits of the Posyandu. In addition to getting the checkup, he can spend time with more people of his age.

All three of his children had moved away years ago, said the octogenarian, who lives only with his wife. “Here, I can meet up with people of my age and in addition have my health assessed,” he said.

Sumini Sukara, 68, shares the same thought. She retired from the Foreign Ministry almost 20 years ago and has had to find new activities to fill her free time. “The Posyandu organizers asked me to join a competition in the exercise for the elderly a few years ago. Since then, I have found new friends,” she said.

The monthly health clinic is organized by a dozen of local housewives, who are senior citizens themselves.

Heri Suharno, 77, who coordinates the Posyandu Anggrek volunteers, explained that next month would mark the 17th anniversary of the establishment.

“Back in November 2000, some members of a cooperative at the subdistrict offices had the idea to establish a place for us pensioners to meet and engage in activities,” she said.

Started as a program organized by the subdistrict office’s Family Welfare Movement (PKK), the monthly event is also facilitated by health workers from the Gandaria Selatan subdistrict community health center (Puskesmas), who provide checkups covering people’s levels of cholesterol, uric acid, blood pressure and blood glucose as well as education on a healthy lifestyle for people of higher age.

All of the services are provided free of charge.

“In the beginning, our membership was fewer than 20 people, but now we have more than 120 registered senior citizens from our neighborhood,” Heri said. She said that, on average, 30 to 40 came for the Posyandu meet-ups, which were offered in her house.

She explained that the organizers of the Posyandu were eager to encourage senior citizens to be more active. “It’s a place to hold silaturahmi [friendly gatherings] to lift up our spirits,” she said.

Heri added that in the last few years they had also organized yearly picnics, for which the elderly would go out of town.

“Last year, we went to tea plantations in Bogor,” she said. “It helps to refresh our minds.”

According to the Jakarta Health Agency, there is at least one Posyandu Lansia in each of Jakarta’s 267 subdistricts.

Ari Mutia, an official from the public health division at the Jakarta Health Agency, said the Posyandu Lansia was an integrated program that involved several agencies, not only the health agency, but also the Jakarta Social Agency and the Jakarta Empowerment, Child Protection and Population Control (PPAPP) Agency.

“The program is also aimed at helping to improve the psychological state of the elderly,” she said.

According to 2016 data from the population and civil registration agency, there are more than 440,000 citizens above the age of 65. Data from the Health Ministry, meanwhile, show that they make up to 6.5 percent of Jakarta’s population. (dis)

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