Experiences and adaptive responses toward aging among elderly Ilocano women

• Main Author: Paat, JN Junnile Soliven
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2005
• Subjects: Aging; Older women > Philippines; Experience; Social and Behavioral Sciences
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_masteral/3320; https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=10158&context=etd_masteral
• Institution: De La Salle University

The elderly sector has been a neglected sector in our society. It is steadily increasing because of the advancement of technology and biomedical science. Though several studies show that women outlive men in their old age because of higher life expectancy, they seem to experience more of the unfavorable consequences of aging. This study examines the experiences and adaptive responses of the process of aging among elderly Ilocano women of Bantay Ilocos Sur. It also reveals specific experiences in the physical, psychological, social, and economic aspects of aging. The benefits received or the things perceived to be beneficial about aging and the difficulties encountered are also determined. The factors affecting experiences in aging and as well as the influence of marital status or being ever-married and never-married are also investigated. This study is an exploratory qualitative research utilizing in-depth interviews among 19 key informants (10 ever-married, 9 never-married). All of whom were born in Bantay, Ilocos Sur with ages ranging from 65 to 81 years old. All were members of the Federated Senior Citizens Association of the Philippines (FSCAP) Bantay Chapter, and were selected using the non-probability purposive sampling method. An in-depth interview guide was used in data gathering. It was pre-tested with two elderly women (one each among the ever-married and never-married) from Santo Domingo, Ilocos Sur, a neighboring town. With regard to the physical aspect of aging, majority of the key informants felt body weakness, experienced arthritis, and visual changes. Declining memory, sensitiveness, feelings of happiness, and worry over who will take care of them in the future were among the changes experienced as far as the psychological aspect is concerned. For the social aspect, the majority felt that there have been no changes in their relationship with family, friends, and neighbors. Family members are their primary confidants. Most of them joined the FSCAP because they haven reached the ages of being a senior citizen. The majority reported that they are able to buy what they want because they have their pension and savings. Most of them said that they spend more of their funds on medicine and vitamins. Being free from parental and work responsibilities are considered to be advantages of being old. However, majority were not satisfied with the services availed of with the use of the senior citizen ID. Most have difficulties in doing household chores, handling financial matters, and in asking for help among never-married key informants. Doing exercise, getting medications, taking adequate rest, and praying to God are the adaptive responses they employed. The ever-married elderly are seen to be better off in handling the consequences of aging. Based on the findings, aging can be seen as a felt process that is more inclined toward the social aspect. It is a dynamic process wherein any of the four dimensions can effect change on the others.