Dukungan Keluarga Batak Simalungun terhadap Kemandirian Lansia di Wilayah Kerja Puskesmas Haranggaol

Abstract

Aging is an inevitable event for everyone blessed with longevity. Biologically, the elderly undergo a continuous aging process marked by a decline in physical resilience against diseases. These various changes often cause the elderly to face challenges in life, necessitating family support. This study aims to analyze the influence of family support from the Balak Simalungun community on the independence of the elderly in the working area of Haranggaol Public Health Center. This research employs a quantitative method with a cross-sectional approach. The population in this study consisted of 237 respondents. The sampling technique used in this study is non-probability sampling, specifically purposive sampling. The instruments used were adopted and modified from existing family support and elderly independence questionnaires, which underwent validity and reliability tests on 30 subjects with an r-table >.361 and a Cronbach's alpha reliability of .761. Univariate analysis results show that the majority of family support in the emotional category is good (68 or 46%), in the appreciation category is good (63 or 43%), in the informational category is adequate (JOO or 67%), and in the instrumental category is good (75 or 50%). The total independence of the elderly is high (96 or 65%). The Pearson product­ moment analysis results indicate a significant relationship between emotional, appreciation, informational, and instrumental family support and elderly independence.