Resilience and Quality of Life of the Neglected and Abandoned Elderly

Introduction
The Philippines today is known as a country that is bound for growth and development. Reaching
its 93 million mark on 2010, the Philippine population is expected to grow by an average of 1.75
percent per year until 2015; and 0.65 percent every year starting on 2040 (PSA, 2010). The
Philippines, having a large population, also sports a large number of ageing individuals.
In its Age Watch report card released in 2015, HelpAge International informed that the population
of the elderly (over 60 in age) Filipinos reached 7.3 million or a heaping 7.3 percent of the total
population in that year. Being a country with a large ageing populace, the Philippines is not
exempted from addressing issues and problems brought about by this population growth. An
example of such problem is the neglect and subsequent abandonment of the elderly.
According to the American Psychological Association (2012), neglect is a portion of an existing
bigger problem which is Elder abuse. Psychological, physical, financial, and sexual forms of harm
to an older adult is also a type of Elder abuse. Victims of such abuse experiences insecurity
emotional trauma, anxiety, depression and illnesses (UNECE, 2013); and jeopardized quality of
life (APA, 2012).
Background of the Study

The goal of this study is to provide insight to the prevailing conditions of Elder abuse specifically
in the areas of neglect and abandonment of the elderly. Also, to offer a hindsight of the effects of
Elder abuse and neglect through the examination of the resilience and quality of life of Filipinos
living in retirement homes.