There is ‘Game Therapy’ at Sleman Prison, Making Elderly Inmates More Enthusiastic About Life

Students from Universitas ‘Aisyiyah (UNISA) Yogyakarta brought a unique health therapy innovation to the Class IIB Sleman Correctional Institution on Thursday (04/09/2025). Through a ‘game therapy’, they encouraged elderly inmates to stay physically and mentally fit.

The program, initiated through the Student Creativity Program (PKM), is named Egtherapy (Exercise Game Therapy). This method combines physical and cognitive exercises into fun games, ensuring the elderly inmates do not get bored.

The concept is simple but effective. Seniors are asked to perform two tasks at once (dual task), such as walking while counting or practicing balance while trying to remember something. According to the students, this method has proven to be effective in training physical fitness while maintaining mental acuity.

“This method makes the elderly more enthusiastic, less prone to boredom, and feel that their lives are more meaningful,” said Andika, head of the UNISA PKM-PM team.

The program entitled “Urip Apik Warga Binaan Lansia” (Good Life for Elderly Inmates) has shown positive results. Prison officials say there has been a significant improvement in the balance, memory, and motivation of the participants.

Elyas Herry Kurniawan, Deputy Head of Care at Sleman Prison, fully appreciates this program. “This Egtherapy program is very beneficial. The elderly are not only physically healthy, but also more confident and happy,” he said. This initiative is clear evidence that health and well-being can be achieved for all groups, including the elderly in prisons.