EFFECTS OF AGING AND COPING STRATEGIES OF OLDER ADULTS

(GROUP 3)

Introduction

Aging is a process. It is a lifelong process wherein there are different changes happening

in human body. Every person comes through aging, it is inevitable. Thus, aging is a normal

transition of life from younger years to older years. Aging comes with changes such as muscle

loss, impaired cognitive function, changes in body structures like appearance of wrinkles or

graying of hair and many more. Aging does not just come as a process but it is the combination

of natural changes happening in our body and how we take care of it and how we handle these

changes. According to C. Otin, M. Blasco et.al. (2013) that aging is characterized by a dynamic

loss of physiologic function leading to impended work and increases the vulnerability to death.

And these changes may lead a person to a primary risk factor or illness including cancer,

diabetes, cardiovascular disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, these changes has a big

impact on life of an elderly which can contribute to the life development of an elderly.

Recent data from 20,788 adults aged 16-64 from 30 countries around the world found

that 23 % of respondents accepted that older people are treated poorly and that 60 % of

respondents globally indicated that older adults are not well regarded (Hall 2019). This chimes

with the study of the World Values Survey data from 83,034 adults from 57 countries by the

World Health Organizations (conducted between 2010 and 2014), which also showed that 60

percent of participants accepted that there is a lack of consideration given to older people

(Officer 2016). Thus, there seems to be an agreement and an assumption among these

respondents that ageism will arise in later life in the form of lack of consideration and unequal

treatment.
 There are around 103 million inhabitants in the world, with less than 5 % of the

population 65 years and older (Central Intelligence Agency, 2016). The age composition of the

Philippines currently resembles many other developing countries because, relative to older

Filipinos, there is a higher proportion of younger Filipinos. The Philippines' 60-year-old and

older population is expected to increase by 4.2 percent, considering the greater number of young

Filipinos, while the 80-year-old and older population is expected to increase by 0.4 percent from

2010 to 2030 (Help Age Global Network, 2017b). Over the last two decades, the population of

the Philippines has risen by over 35%, with the older adult population (60 years and older)

projected to surpass those aged 0-14 years by 2065 (Help Age Global Network, 2017a).

The Neuman Systems Model views the client as an open system which responds to

environmental stressors. Physiological, psychological, sociocultural, developmental, and moral

are the client variables. A simple or central framework that is covered by lines of resistance

consists of the client system. The usual level of health is characterized as the standard line of

defense that a versatile line of defense protects. Stressors emerge from internal, external, and

generated environments and are intra-, inter-, and extra personal in nature. The system is invaded

and the lines of resistance are triggered when stressors break through the versatile line of

protection, and the system is defined as moving on a wellness-illness continuum through illness.

If sufficient energy is available, the device will be reconstituted with the regular protection line

restored at, below or above its previous level.

The researcher chose this study to establish an understanding towards the significant

changes happening to an individual and their response to it after reaching the age of older adult.
Statement of the Problem

The researchers will conduct this research study to determine the effects of aging and

coping strategies of older adults. Specifically, it aims to answer the following questions:

1. What is the demographic profile in terms of:

1.1 Age

1.2 Sex

1.3 Marital Status

2. What are the effects of aging as experienced by an older adult in relation with:

1.1. Physical Aspect;

1.2. Mental Aspect;

1.3. Emotional Aspect;

1.4. Psychosocial Aspect; and

1.5. Spiritual Aspect?

3. How do you cope with the effects of aging?

Theoretical Framework

One of the ageing theories that emphasize the symptoms of ageing are triggered by

incremental damage to the cell of the body system over time is the Wear and Tear Theory of

Ageing. Emphasizing that because of their use for a long time, our body "wears out" and when

they wear out, they no longer work properly. A wide variety of insults that harm the body are the

root of the wear and tear harm that contributes to ageing. Exposure to gene-damaging radiation,

toxins, and ultraviolet light. This influences the body to metabolize oxygen, creating free radicals
that can destroy cells and tissues. (Dr. August Weismann, Ageing's Wear and Tear Theory in

1882)

The activity theory or the implied ageing theory, natural ageing theory, and lay ageing

theory emphasize that when older adults remain involved and retain social relationships, good

ageing occurs. The theory hypothesizes a positive relationship between behavior and satisfaction

with life, a mechanism in which as old people stay socially engaged, the quality of life is

improved. (Havighurst 1961)

The normal ageing continuity theory notes that older people would typically retain the

same habits, attitudes, relationships as they did in their previous years of life. This theory

emphasizes that, by adapting methods that are related to their past experiences, older adults strive

to preserve this lifestyle continuity. (The Principle of Continuity, 1968, by George L. Maddox)

Research Methodology

The researchers use the qualitative research to determine the effect of aging to older

adults in different aspect and their coping mechanism with these changes from the age of 60

years and above. The target respondents of the researchers are 10-15 older adults. The

researchers utilize the convenient sampling method. An interview guide was used that focused on

the effects of aging to older adults to all aspect and their coping mechanism with the changes.

Interviews lasted between 15 and 25 minutes and were audiotaped. Audiotapes were

subsequently transcribed verbatim and qualitative thematic content analysis was conducted by

the researchers.

RESULTS, INTERPRETION AND ANALYSIS

 This part of the study provides the data gathered from the responses of elderly about

effects of aging and coping strategies. Following the sequence of problems and sub-problems

presented in the statement of the problem, including the analysis and interpretation. These will be

supported by the statistics as found in the accompanying figures substantiated by the review of

related literature and studies.

Age

2 2

4 4

60-65 66-70 71-75 76 and above

Figure 1: Demographic profile according to Age

Figure 1 shows the demographic profile according to age. Based on the result, the highest

number of respondents came from the age bracket of 71-75 yrs old with 4 or 33% of respondents

and age bracket of 66-70 yrs old with 4 or 33% of the respondents. It was followed by 2 or 17 %

of respondents in the age bracket of 60-65 yrs old, same with age bracket of 75 yrs old and above

with 2 or 17% of the respondents.

 According to World Health Organization (2018), changes from a person’s body related to

aging are individualized. For example, there are individuals ages 70 and yet still functioning well

and has a good health however there are also some 70 years old who are already weak and

requires help from the others.

Sex

Male Female

Figure 2: Demographic profile according to Sex

Figure 2 shows the demographic profile according to sex. Based on the result, the highest

number of respondents came from male with 8 or 67% of respondents. It was followed by

Female with 4 or 33% where it was the lowest gathered number respondents.

According to World Health Organization (2020), both men and women experiencing

certain diseases during adult life but the type and degree of the conditions varies between sexes.
 Marital Status

10

Single Married Separated Widowed

Figure 3: Demographic profile according to Marital Status

Figure 3 shows the percentage distribution of the respondents in terms of marital status.

Based on the results, the highest number of respondents came from the marital status. From the

total 12 selected older adults, (0) or 0% were single (10) or 83.33% were married, (0) or 0%

were separated, (2) or 20% were widowed.

According to Perkins et al., (2016), it is said that widowed person is linked with certain

diseases as compared to married individuals. For example, men who are 0 to 4 years widowed

are at risk for diabetes and women who are widowed for long-term are at risk to experience

psychological distress and hypertension as compared to married men and women.

Physical Aspect

1. What are the changes in your physical body that bothers you?
 Among the collated answers from the interviews, 6 or 50% of the respondents who have

mentioned that they are bothered with changes that is associated with localize pain such as joints,

hips, back, arms and legs. Followed by2 or 17% of the respondents mentioned that they are

bothered with their body masses considering that as they age, they become more obese or

thinner. Followed by 2 or 17% of the respondents who stated that they are bothered with the

gradual increase of diseases that are commonly in their age. Followed by 1 or 8% of the

respondent who verbalized weakness caused by vulnerability. Lastly, 1 or 8% of the respondents

are bothered with their skin appearance as their skin sags and having more freckles on faces. Not

normal part of aging but this manifested.

According to K.R. Weterterp (2018), Increasing age in adults is related with a decrease in

physical activity, muscle mass and muscle quality and an increment in fat mass. The decrease in

muscle mass and muscle quality is known as sarcopenia, the combination with weight as

sarcopenic weight.

2. What are the difficulties you encounter in performing everyday task that you never

encountered before when you were young?

The data implies that the majority of the respondents 11 or 90% told that common

difficulties the have encountered in performing everyday task were doing house hold chores as a

result of degeneration of their physique. On the other hand, 1 or 10% of the respondents

mentioned that they have encountered difficulties in performing everyday task caused by body

changes that is associated with pain.

We recognize that as they age, many older adults choose to stay in their own homes, but the

particular difficulties they face in achieving this objective are not understood. In their everyday
activities, older adults may face daily struggles and difficulties (Clark, Czaja, & Weber, 1990;

Rogers, Meyer, Walker, & Fisk, 1998), but the particular barriers that older adults experience in

home maintenance are not well known. In order to maintain a clean and healthy atmosphere,

home maintenance is essential; in fact, more than one hour of every day is spent doing home

maintenance (Lawton, 1990)

Mental Aspect

1. What changes you’ve noticed in terms of retaining your memory?

Based on the collated interview, 92% of 11 respondents of the older adult said that they

are forgetful in terms of the question “What changes you’ve noticed in terms of retaining your

memory?” and 8% of 1 respondent says that they experience fainting in retaining their memory.

According to Mohs, (2020), parts of the brain that are essential to memory are highly

vulnerable to aging. One area, called the hippocampus, loses 5% of its nerve cells with each

passing decade for a total loss of 20% by the time you reach your 80s. In addition, the brain itself

shrinks and becomes less efficient as you age.

2. What bothers you that causes you to feel down, lonely, or hopelessness?

Among the collated answers from the interviews, 14% resulting in pandemic, work, and

loss of family member, 7% said that they are taking care of the sick, 21% said that they are

bothered by financial problems, and 28% are concerned by their health status, answers prior to

the question “What bothers you that causes you to feel down, lonely, or hopelessness?”.
 According to the activity theory, person's self-concept is related to the roles held by that

person i.e. retiring may not be so harmful if the person actively maintains other roles, such as

familial roles, recreational roles, volunteer & community roles.

Social Aspect

1. What changes do you encounter that affects your interaction with the same age group?

Different age group?

From the collated answers of the respondents, 3 or 25% said that they are happy to

interact with other people. Followed by 2 or 17% respondents who have told that they respect or

understand those who are with the same age as they have. 2 or 17% respondents also said that

they do not interact with other people. Another 2 or 17 % of the respondents said that they are

not happy to socialize anymore. 1 or 8.3% respondent said that nothing has changed on the way

they interact with others. Another 1or 8.3% told that the ways they interact with others are not

usual as compared during the younger years. And lastly, 1 or 8.3% respondent said that

sometimes they feel a little bit shy because of the changes happening in the body

According to Huxhold et al., (2013), social interactions became more important to older

individuals. It is believed that it has a good impact to older people by preventing negative effects

of aging.

2. What are the changes do you notice in yourself when participating in social gatherings?

Based from the collated answers, 5 or 42% respondents said that they are happy when they

attend such gatherings especially, they tend to forget their problems. Followed by 3 or 25% told

that they do not usually approach or interact with other people unlike before. 2 or 17% from the
respondents told that nothing has changed. 1 or 8.3% said that they felt lonely due to the pain he

or she is experiencing and lastly, 1 or 8.3% verbalized that he or she is scared considering that

the respondent feels that they are different from other people due to what the respondent is

experiencing.

According to St. Joseph Health (2020), maintaining a social active life has many benefits

to older individuals. It prevents people from getting lonely and depressed.

Spiritual Aspect

1. What comes into your mind when you hear the word death?

This finding suggests that a total of 50% or 6 of the respondents thinks that death is a normal

thing and nothing to be scared of because all people can experience death and that people just

need to accept that this is inevitable. Furthermore, the respondents believed that surrendering

oneself to God can help in finding the purpose of their lives. Moreover, the researchers

developed an impression that a total of 50% or 6 of the respondents view death as something that

is frightening and lonely. This result establishes the fact that the perception of the respondents on

death is both positive and negative.

According to Kluger (2016), for a senior with any sense, death should spell fear or if nothing

else distress but majority of older adults have less anxiety, sadness and more overall fulfillment

because older people manage to be contented with their short-term future.

2. Have you notice any changes in your beliefs? What are those changes?

This finding suggests that 50% or 6 of the respondents does not notice any changes in their

beliefs and that the respondents’ belief remains the same as before, the respondents always pray
and believed in God. Furthermore, 33.3% or 4 of the respondents shows that there is changes in

their beliefs because of the problems that are happening today in the humanity such as the

pandemic. Moreover, 16.6% or 2 of the respondents answered that their faith became stronger

after aging. With this result, the researchers developed an impression that the aging has a

positive effect in terms of beliefs because majority of the respondents in this study increased

their faith in God.

According to Crista Senior Living (2019), as people age and experience loss of friends and

family alongside the physical changes of maturing, older adults start to have a clearer feeling of

mortality that made older adults closer to God.

3. How do you cope up in experiencing the effects of aging?

The data implies that (4) or 33% of the older adults do their daily activities like jog in the

morning, they promoting their healthy lifestyle. While (3) or 25% copes up by become being

positive in life and have a strong faith to God. Hence, (2) or 17% of the respondents coped up

with aging by just accepting it, because it's natural and it is uncontrollable, they've come up to

accept and lover their selves more. Another result of the data (2) or 17% have their check-ups for

their maintenance. While (1) or 8% of the data collated for the older adults resulted that that the

effect of aging is experienced good and bad things.

Normal physical action assists with improving physical and mental capacities just as

converse a few impacts of ongoing illness to keep more seasoned individuals portable and

autonomous. In spite of the exceptionally announced advantages of physical movement, the

greater part of more seasoned individuals doesn’t meet the base physical action levels expected

to look after wellbeing. More established individuals might be urged to expand their exercises
whenever impacted by clinicians, family or companions, minimizing expenses and satisfaction

high, encouraging gathering based exercises and raising self-viability for work out. (The

National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine 2016)

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