Kemandirian dalam Batasan: Peran Interaksi Sosial dan Simbolik bagi Lansia di Panti Sosial

Oktavia, Sulthanah Khansa
Islam, Syahidah Fathul
Choerunisa, Yuli
Pujihartati, Sri Hilmi
Rahmawati, Triana

DIMENSIA: Jurnal Kajian Sosiologi
Vol. 14 No. 2 (2025): Dimensia: Jurnal Kajian Sosiologi

Studi ini mengeksplorasi upaya membangun kemandirian lansia melalui pendekatan interaksionisme simbolik di Panti Wreda Widhi Asih Surakarta. Lansia yang tinggal di panti menghadapi berbagai keterbatasan yang memengaruhi otonomi mereka, baik secara fisik, psikologis, sosial, maupun spiritual. Dengan pendekatan kualitatif dan teknik pengumpulan data berupa wawancara semi-terstruktur serta observasi, penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa makna kemandirian tidak hanya bersumber dari kondisi individu, tetapi dibentuk melalui interaksi sosial dan simbol-simbol positif yang muncul dalam kehidupan panti. Faktor-faktor seperti motivasi personal, dukungan keluarga, dan iklim sosial di panti berkontribusi terhadap pembentukan kembali perasaan berdaya lansia. Berbagai strategi kelembagaan seperti aktivitas fisik rutin, penguatan relasi sosial, dan kegiatan spiritual mendukung proses ini. Hasilnya, lansia mengalami peningkatan kualitas hidup melalui penguatan identitas sosial dan rasa keberhargaan sebagai bagian dari komunitas. This study explores efforts to build elderly independence through a symbolic interactionist approach at Widhi Asih Elderly Home in Surakarta. Elderly residents in the facility face various limitations physical, psychological, social, and spiritual that affect their autonomy. Using a qualitative approach with semi-structured interviews and observation, the research reveals that the meaning of independence is not solely rooted in individual conditions but constructed through social interactions and positive symbolic exchanges within the institutional setting. Factors such as personal motivation, family support, and the social climate of the home contribute to reestablishing a sense of agency among the elderly. Institutional strategies including regular physical activities, strengthened social relationships, and spiritual engagement facilitate this process. As a result, residents experience an improved quality of life through the reinforcement of social identity and a sense of self-worth as active members of the community.