Situation analysis of the elderly in a lower-middle class community

• Main Authors: Gonzalez, Begonia A., Navarro, Leonarlyn Alamil
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 1993
• Subjects: Aged; Family; Community health services; Aging > Social conditions; Social service
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/16204
• Institution: De La Salle University

This study aims to explore the dynamics of aging in a lower-middle class community with the goal of evolving appropriate programs for the improvement of the situation of the elderly. The factors that were considered in the analysis were gender disparities in individual characteristics, family relationships, economic characteristics, personal attitude toward aging and degree of interaction with individuals outside the family. These were all linked with individual coping and intra and extrafamilial relations. The research design was primarily descriptive and the instrument used was the questionnaire. Forty elderly respondents of the Manuyo community in Las Pinas were drawn for the study. The respondents were mainly 60-69 years of age with an elementary educational level. Nearly half (48) were married while 42 were widowed. There were more females (48) than male (32) in the study. The main problem the elderly expressed is inadequate economic resources which affect the inter-personal relationship with the family and the health status as viewed in the lack of physical health aids such as dentures, hearing aids, canes, etc. Women were found to be more financially dependent on their family than the men. Their tendency is to work so that they become less of a burden to their family. Most of the male elderly indicated having low degree relationships with the family members due to the perceived loss of role. It is the women who have better coping strategies for their activities tend to be more varied. Men are more politically aware than the women but the latter are more active in community organizations. The elderly have great potentials for involvement in social activities.Given the results of the survey, programs can be recommended that involve the elderly in specific activities like training and retraining for second careers, participation in income generating activities with assistance from community, government agencies and non-governmental organizations, resource mobilization, and peer counseling services. Training of care givers and provisions of favorable suggestions regarding recreational services can help further develop their social relationships with others.