JEMBER — Politeknik Negeri Jember (Polije), through the Nutrition Care Center (NCC) Teaching Factory (TeFa), is strengthening senior empowerment through the 2026 Gelora Lansia Tangguh program. The program targets the Sekolah Lansia Tangguh (SELANTANG) community, particularly seniors at risk of hypertension.

Dr. Novita Nuraini, M.A.R.S., head of the community service team, said the program goes beyond blood pressure checks. The team also encourages seniors to understand healthy eating habits and monitor their health regularly.

“Through this program, we want seniors not only to know their blood pressure results but also understand the risk factors and monitor their health regularly,” said Novita.

The team then provided education on hypertension, sodium restriction, healthy local foods, physical activity, and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan. Participants also underwent blood pressure and nutritional status assessments as a basis for further assistance.

The program also uses the Smart GELORA or Smart NCC Open Health application to record blood pressure, pulse rate, physical activity, and nutritional status. Meanwhile, smartwatches help participants monitor their pulse rate and physical activity.

“We combine education, screening, the DASH eating plan, and health technology to make senior health assistance more structured and sustainable,” she said.

SELANTANG cadres, students, and the implementation team then assisted seniors in using the technology. Cadres also helped remind participants about measurement schedules and connected them with TeFa NCC for follow-up support.

Dr. Novita implemented the program with Rossalina Adi Wijayanti, S.KM., M.Kes., Andri Permana Wicaksono, S.ST., M.T., and Dr. Ir. Rahmat Ali Syaban, M.Si. Students from the Health Information Management Study Program also supported the activities.

Through the program, TeFa NCC integrates health education, screening, counseling, health technology, and community assistance. Through Gelora Lansia Tangguh, Polije encourages seniors to build independent and sustainable health monitoring habits.