Dukungan Keluarga dalam Perawatan Lansia dengan Rheumatoid Arthritis di Kelurahan Panyabungan II Kecamatan Panyabungan Kota Kabupaten Mandailing Natal

Abstract

The prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) among the elderly significantly impacts their quality of life. This condition causes chronic pain, limited mobility, and decreased functional ability. RA often affects daily activities and increases the risk of psychological disorders such as depression and anxiety. Therefore, family support plays a crucial role in managing this condition. The support includes emotional, informational, instrumental, and appraisal support. Families play a key role in providing physical, psychological, social, and spiritual care. This study aims to examine family support in the care of elderly individuals with rheumatoid arthritis in Panyabungan II Subdistrict, Panyabungan City, Mandailing Natal Regency. The study employs a quantitative method with a descriptive design. The sample was selected using purposive sampling, consisting of 161 elderly respondents in Panyabungan II Subdistrict. Data were collected using a Family Support Questionnaire. The results indicate that family support in caring for elderly individuals with rheumatoid arthritis falls under the moderate category for 84 elderly respondents (52.29%). Emotional support was in the good category for 119 respondents (73.9%), informational support in the moderate category for 85 respondents (52.8%), instrumental support in the moderate category for 84 respondents (52.2%), and appraisal support in the moderate category for 122 respondents (75.8%). It is recommended that mursing services develop integrated programs and activate regular elderly health services (Posyandu Lansia) to provide better care and health monitoring for elderly individuals with rheumatoid arthritis.