LWSSON7-THE FAMILY

• Ageing


  Commonly measured in terms of chronological age or the number of years a person has lived since birth
• Gerontologists' view of ageing

  • Chronological Ageing
  • Biological Ageing
  • Psychological Ageing
  • Social Ageing
• Chronological Ageing


  Based on the person's number of years from birth and is not necessarily related to one's physical health, mental health abilities, or social status
• Biological Ageing


  Refers to the physical changes that reduces the efficiency of organ systems such as lungs, heart and circulatory system
• Psychological Ageing


  Includes the changes occur in a sensory and perceptual process, adaptive, personality drives and motives
• Social Ageing


  Refers to an individual's changing roles and relationships in the social structure; family, friends, work and organization like religious and political group
• As people age chronologically, biologically, and psychologically, their social roles and relations also change
• Many people are unemployed or prevented from working, not due to biological or psychological restraints but due to society's definition of "old age", a situation manifesting societal imposition on elderly behave
• Much of what we call phenomenon of old age and the attitudes among and towards the aged are products not of biological but of social and cultural forms
• Respect for Age in Traditional Filipino society


  Organized on the basis of generation and concept of seniority which involves deference to and respect for older persons
• Traditional and polite ways to speak to the elderly in the Philippines

  • Using 'po' and 'oho'
  • Using the plural form 'kayo' instead of 'ikaw'
  • Addressing elderly as Lolo/Lola, Tito/Tita
  • Addressing older person as Kaka or Ka followed by first name
  • Manong for male, Manang for female
  • Mano tradition of young person kissing elderly's hand
• Today, specially in the urban areas, these practices of respect for age are not often followed anymore
• Characteristics of the Elderly in the Philippines

  • More females than males
  • Majority of male elderly are married
  • Half of female elderly are married, 2 out of 5 are widowed, rest separated or never married
  • Majority had elementary education, 1 out of 4 had high school, 5% finished college
• Economic condition of older Filipinos

  • Male elderly more likely to work for a living, except well-to-do
  • Many male elderly in rural areas working on farms, not qualifying for pensions
  • Elderly without gainful occupation receive support from children and relatives
  • Unmarried elderly (never married, widowed, separated) are most economically disadvantaged
• Economic status of the elderly is improving in terms of increasing employment and income from all sources except from farmers
• Living Arrangements and Support for the Elderly

  • Most live with spouse, adult children, or young child
  • Increasing proportion of elderly assuming caregiver role for grandchildren
  • Decreasing proportion living alone
  • At least one child (often female) resides with parents as filial obligation
  • Most economically stable elderly live independently, while those in financial crisis tend to live together
• Traditional Filipino values regarding the elderly

  • Filial respect and utang na loob to parents
  • Elder set tone of family affairs with advice and admonitions
  • Filial obligation of children to take aged parents into their custody
• Role of Grandparents


  • Valued as "eyes and ears" of their co-resident children
  • Serve as caregivers to grandchildren
  • Grandchildren perceive them as more loving, caring and understanding than parents
  • Grandmother as domestic consultant, supervisor of helpers, or real housekeeper
  • Grandfather as lively and enjoyable playmate for infant grandchildren
• Physical Well-being and Health of the Elderly

  • Difficulty adjusting to inactive life after retirement, gradual loss of health and vigor
  • Conflict due to sensory decline like poor vision or hearing
  • Feeling of helplessness and need to depend on others for personal care can be psychologically depressing
  • Majority in 60s perceive good/fair health, those in 70s/80s feel poor health
  • Most common ailments are arthritis, rheumatism, hypertension, lung disease
• Social Well-Being and Mental Health of the Elderly


  • Take time to overcome loss of loved ones
  • Intergenerational solidarity through frequent visits and communication with children
  • Receive economic and non-material support from non-co-resident children
  • Elderly also provide support to their children
  • High level of social well-being through strong family and community connections
• Elderly Care and Institutions

  • Growing demand for caregivers, often the spouse
  • Sibling relationship important as longest family relationship
  • Most institutional homes for the aged run by private, religious, or civic organizations
  • Government institution 'Golden Acres' largest in the country
  • Placement in nursing homes not always due to neglect, but involuntary reaction to poverty
• Urbanization and industrialization has had negative impact on the elderly, with loss of opportunities specially for the rural elderly
• In urban areas, segregation of the elderly is evidenced by increasing generation gap where their wisdom is no longer considered relevant
• The Philippine Constitution states it is the family's duty to care for elderly members, but the State may also do so through social security programs
• Key Laws for the Elderly in the Philippines

  • Republic Act No.7876 - Senior Citizens Center Act of 1992
  • Republic Act No. 7432 - Senior Citizens Act of 1992
  • Republic Act No. 9257 - Expanded Senior Citizen Act of 2003
  • Republic Act No. 9994 - Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010
  • Republic Act No. 9502 - Universally Accessible and Quality Medicines Act of 2008