Group Activity Therapy (GAT) with Ball Passing for the Elderly to Reduce Anxiety Levels At Panti Werdha Harapan Ibu

Abstract

Elderly individuals are a vulnerable age group prone to physical and psychological disorders, one of which is anxiety. Anxiety in the elderly can arise due to changes in social roles, loss of routine, and a decline in physical and cognitive function, leading to feelings of uselessness, loneliness, and stress. One nursing intervention used to address anxiety in the elderly is Group Activity Therapy (GAT).To reduce boredom, stress, and anxiety levels in elderly individuals caused by monotonous routines, such as only lying down or sitting in bed. This activity used a group activity therapy method conducted in a single 60-minute session involving 16 elderly residents of Panti Werdha Harapan Ibu. The activity was carried out in three stages: introduction, "ball passing" game, and closing. Evaluation was done by comparing anxiety levels before and after the session through observation and pre-post tests. The results showed that before therapy, 13 elderly participants experienced moderate anxiety and 3 experienced severe anxiety. After the GAT session, all participants showed a reduction to mild anxiety. In addition to reducing anxiety, the ball passing game also helped improve motor skills, body coordination, and concentration. Group Activity Therapy (GAT) using a ball passing game is proven effective in reducing anxiety levels among the elderly from moderate and severe categories to mild. GAT not only reduces anxiety but also enhances motor abilities, coordination, and concentration. As a nursing modality, this therapy can be an appropriate intervention to address psychological issues in the elderly, especially anxiety.