RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES AMONGST THE ELDERLY TO GET A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE (THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ACTIVITY THEORY)

Elderly is one of the crucial issues faced by many countries in the world today. Composition of elderly population is growing rapidly in both developed and developing countries. The increase in the number of elderly people is important to note, so that they could live long, enjoy their life happily, and improve their quality of life by doing activities. However, sometimes elderly activities tend to worsen their quality of life. Therefore, it is necessary to look for activities that can improve their quality of life with the slogan of living a good quality of life in old age. The research conducted in Babussalam, Dolok Sigompulon District, North Padanglawas Regency, North Sumatera, Indonesia raises the activities carried out by the elderly to keep them busy during their old age. By using a qualitative approach, the research and results of this study are presented in an ethnographic writing form to describe the activities. Participant observation and in-depth interviews with the elderly are two tools used to collect the data. As a qualitative approach, the concept of native point of view is the strength of this research. Informants are selected using purposive sampling, in order to get a broader picture. The results of this study found that the elderly who are part of a group or community of the Naqshbandiyah followers, did the wayfaring and spent their time in the wayfarers gathering places. Their main objective to carry out these activities is to get closer to the almighty in order to get a better quality of life. Furthermore, there are among the elderly who come to wayfarers gathering places because of carrying out a debt called vow or nazar. For the elderly who are not part of the tariqa or order community, wayfaring activity is not an option to fill the old age.