Publication Search

Balance is a crucial component in maintaining independence in the elderly and preventing the risk of falls. Decreased balance function with aging can increase the incidence of falls, impacting the elderly's quality of life. This activity aims to screen balance in the elderly using the One Leg Standing Test (OLST) as a simple measurement tool to assess static balance. The activity was conducted in the elderly community in RT 05/RW 08, Karang Anyar Village, Central Jakarta. The test was conducted by asking participants to stand on one leg, and a time was determined until they lost their balance. The screening results showed variations in balance ability, with some elderly still in the good category, while others showed a decline in balance ability and were at risk of falls. These findings demonstrate the importance of balance training programs, muscle strengthening, and fall prevention education for the elderly. This screening activity is expected to form the basis for planning further health interventions to improve the safety and quality of life of the elderly in the community.

Balance disorders are among the most common functional problems experienced by older adults and significantly increase the risk of falls, disability, and reduced quality of life. Early screening and health promotion efforts are essential in preventing these complications. This community service program aimed to introduce and implement the Fukuda Stepping Test as a simple, low-cost, and effective method for promotive and preventive assessment of balance impairment among elderly individuals in the community. The activity involved health education on balance maintenance, demonstration of the test procedure, and direct assessment of participants, followed by individualized feedback and recommendations for balance exercises. The results showed that the Fukuda Stepping Test was well-received, easy to perform, and successfully identified elderly individuals with potential vestibular asymmetry or dynamic balance deficits. Furthermore, the program increased participants’ awareness regarding fall prevention and encouraged adoption of regular balance training. This initiative highlights the importance of accessible physiotherapy-based screening tools in community settings and underscores the role of physiotherapists in promoting healthy aging and reducing fall risk among older adults.

The risk of falls in the community in Kapuk Cengkareng Village, especially the elderly, is a health problem that can have a serious impact on quality of life. Balance examination and education are important preventive measures in reducing the risk of falls. This study aims to analyze the effectiveness of balance examinations using the Single Leg Stance (SLS) and Time Up and Go (TUG) methods and provide appropriate education to improve postural stability. The method used in this study involved balance tests with SLS and TUG in community groups with various age ranges. The data obtained were analyzed to see the relationship between balance test results and fall risk factors. In addition, balance education interventions were carried out including physical exercise and fall prevention strategies. There were 30 Respondents Involved in This Activity after the Task was completed The success measurement method was used to evaluate the pre- and Post-Test methods and N-Gain with a value of 0.9 indicating that the strength or category in this study was at a High Level. The calculation results showed a 70% increase from the Pre-test and Post-test results. This shows that respondents experienced positive changes after participating in the activity and that the Technique used could significantly improve the Results. The results showed that individuals with low scores on the SLS and longer travel times on the TUG had a higher risk of falling. The balance education provided was shown to improve balance ability and public awareness of fall risk factors. Thus, balance examination using the SLS and TUG methods and balance education can be an effective strategy in preventing the risk of falling in the community.

The risk of falling is an incident reported by the sufferer or family who saw the incident, which resulted in a person suddenly falling down, sitting on the floor or a lower place with or without loss of consciousness or injury. Based on an initial survey at the Posyandu Lansia Akbar (Elderly Center) in the working area of ​​the Puskesmas Jembatan Kecil (Community Health Center), it was found that some health problems which are still often experienced by the elderly are degenerative diseases such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and perceptual and sensory disorders that leads in decreasing balance, muscle strength and flexibility. These problems put elderly at high risk of falls. To reduce the risk of falls in the elderly, it is necessary to provide preventive, curative and collaborative health services in the form of health education and assistance with balance exercises. So the Community Service Team provides health education on preventing the risk of falls in the elderly.

One way to improve the quality of life for the elderly is to do physical exercise. Physical exercise can maintain or improve flexibility, cardiopulmonary endurance, agility, strength and balance. Several studies show that physical exercise has a consistent effect in reducing the risk of falls in healthy older adults. Kuptniratsaikul's research in 2009-2010 showed that simple balance exercises carried out by elderly people with a history of falls could reduce the incidence of falls in the elderly and significantly improve body balance. A 2017 Cuevas meta-analysis study showed that balance training programs showed the greatest effect in reducing the risk of falls in the elderly. For elderly people who are not yet able to do balance exercises independently, they need assistance from professional staff. Elderly people are an age group that is vulnerable to falls. The aim of implementing this service is to detect the risk of falls in the elderly and provide assistance with balance exercises as an effort to prevent the risk of falls in the elderly. Falls occur due to an unintentional loss of balance which results in failure of postural stability, or an unexpected and sudden change which results in the position landing on the floor . Associated risk factors include current health status (living in the community, nursing home, hospital, weak or active state), existing diseases (diabetes, hip fracture, stroke) and general changes related to aging (decreased balance, coordination, strength muscle, visual disturbances, etc.). The output targets to be achieved include publication of accredited national journals and copyright for videos of community service activities. The method used is a fall risk detection examination using the Time Up and Go Test and continued by providing balance training, so that elderly people who are at risk of falling can be identified as early as possible so that providing balance training can maintain and improve the elderly's body balance.