However, this is not an easy thing because old age is a combination of various multifactorial challenges. Not only in terms of lifestyle, proper nutritional intake, appropriate physical activity, but there are other factors such as family, socio-economic, and psychological.

It is this vulnerable age group that is of interest to The Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) with the collaboration of the Erasmus Plus SPIRIT Project and USU SPIRIT CLUB in collaboration with the Salimah Organization, Regional Leaders of Muslimah Fraternities in North Sumatra Province.

At the same time, in order to carry out Salimah's work program and welcome the Elderly Day and National Family Day, the USU SPIRIT Club held a joint Elderly Healthy Gymnastics, health checks, and health nutrition counseling for the elderly on Sunday, July 9th, 2023.

USU SPIRIT Project Coordinator, Prof. Dr. dr. Dina Keumala Sari, M. Gizi, SpGK(K) together with The Vice Chairman of the USU SPIRIT Club, Dessy Ramasari, is very enthusiastic about establishing cooperation with the Salimah Organization.

"This collaborative activity will foster a sense of concern for all SPIRIT Club members to develop services to the community, especially sports and proper nutrition for the elderly," said Prof. Dina.

The USU SPIRIT Club Team who took an active role was Risris Salmah Andian, Ardiansyah Selian, Nopiyanti Simbolon, and Fiora Patricia Br. Ginting showed their concern for the importance of physical activity in the elderly and proper nutrition.

On that occasion, the Chairperson of the Committee for the Selfi event Afriani Gultom, S.E., Ak., M.Sc. adding that this event was attended by approximately 1000 participants consisting of Salimah members and the general public. "This activity includes checking blood pressure, body composition, cholesterol levels, and uric acid. Furthermore, the healthy exercise program for the elderly is held at Medan Helvetia Village Hall/Beringin Field, Medan," he said.

Chairperson of the Salimah Regional Association of North Sumatra, Hajjah Nurazizah Tambunan SS together with Secretary, Tengku Amiliza SST, M. I. Kom, stated that this activity was Salimah's work program which supports the Government of the Republic of Indonesia's Program, namely the National Empowered Elderly Movement with Salimah North Sumatra.

"Salsa gymnastics is an abbreviation for the Salimah Elderly School, starting with tongue movement which is the initial movement of this exercise. This is very important for the elderly who experience nervous disorders. The healthy gymnastics for the elderly led by Mrs. Chairiyah, it provides benefits for the elderly, increasing muscle movement and flow. blood," he added.

The Salsa Salimah exercise motto is Healthy, Happy and Independent and this is in accordance with the vision and mission of the USU SPIRIT Club, one of which is to increase physical activity for vulnerable groups, including the elderly.

"Here the role of the younger generation is needed, to provide enthusiasm and share knowledge about the importance of physical activity and good nutrition," she said.

To note, this activity was carried out simultaneously throughout Indonesia with the theme Salimah Elderly Empowered, make yourself, your family and society happy towards a prosperous Indonesia.

Link to online newspaper: https://prosumut.com/2023/07/09/organisasi-salimah-bersama-usu-spirit-club-gelar-senam-sehat-lansia-dan-penyuluhan-gizi/

Author: Dina Keumala Sari -

Interviewee: -

Photographer: Universitas Sumatera Utara - Universitas Sumatera Utara