Theme 3: Diurnal utilization of movement

Since the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic had begun, physical distancing policies as a

precautionary measure are implemented. Hence, given the situation, senior citizens must utilize

the use of movement to alter the negative disability effect of the quarantine and turn it into a

positive optimal aging phase, which significantly contributes to their quality of life.

Subtheme 3.1: Close to home, close to work

The quarantine period resulted in more time for the senior citizens to stay in their home

and reflect, moreover the senior citizens grab the opportunity of staying at home and turn that

circumstance into an effective state. As mentioned by Sepúlveda-Loyola and colleagues (2020),

social isolation has diminished the degrees of physical work, which could negatively affect the

actual wellbeing of the elderly. According to the participants, before the quarantine was

implemented, walking is their form of daily activity since it is accustomed to them.

Consequently, during the implementation phase of the physical distancing wherein limitation of

movement are practiced, the senior citizens are obligated to stay at home and majority of them

make use of that situation to carry out what they can do to avoid being stagnant. One of our

participants answered S.F.: “Kasi pinagbawal ng lumabas, kaya sa pagwawalis-walis sa bakuran

na lang tas pagtatanim yung ginagawa kong exercise” which reinforced by F.C.: “Tuwing umaga

ako’y nag-eehersisyo at nagkaka-abala sa pag-aasikaso sa aking mga halaman at kaunting tanim

na gulay sa bakuran” and N.S.: “Bukod sa pag-iigib ng tubig sa umaga, naglalakad-lakad rin ako

sa madaling araw”. The study implies the visibility that even though restriction of movement

occurs, senior citizens managed to find another way to function and mobilize in their day-to-day

living, in the form of doing what is needed to be done around their vicinity.
Theme 13: Strategies in keeping a healthy living

A huge test during lockdown is to limit the unfavorable impacts on senior citizens, since

diminished active work and undesirable static practices are connected to expanded mortality in

senior citizens (Schrempft et al., 2019). As people age, physical and cognitive changes may be

inevitable among us, a process that is definite in all living beings. Due to these biological

changes, the capacity of senior citizens tends to slowly decline as they age, along with acquiring

higher risks of having diseases and may ultimately lead to death. Consequently, health is the

most considerable factor that affects people as they age, and having longer lives brings more

opportunities to people.

Subtheme 13.1: Stretch one’s leg and go for a walk

WHO states that aging is relative to the declined ‘inherent capability’ as the combination

of all the physical, practical, and mental dimensions of an individual. Walking is among the most

cost-effective and accessible means of exercise especially during this trying times, where the

whole country was placed on lockdown. In instance, majority of our participants stated that

walking serves as a form of their exercise in maintaining their health during quarantine. One of

the basis statements is the answer of participant A.L.: “Naglalakad ako dito sa paligid namin, sa

compound namin tuwing umaga at paminsan minsan ay nagbabike” which subsequently

supported by N.S.: “Akin ngang nabanggit kanina, madalas ako nag lalakad-lakad sa medaling

araw pagka-gising ko saka masarap kasi simoy ng hangin sa umaga” and by C.P.: “Gaya ng

sinabi ko kanina sa umaga naglalakad-lakad ako ng pabalik-balik dyan sa kanto namin tapos

gumagawa ako ng mga gawaing-bahay kahit papaano kapag naisipan ko”. Based on the findings

of our study, senior citizens almost never develop a sedentary behavior as contra-indicated to the
statement according to Sepúlveda-Loyola and colleagues (2020), it is also revealed that isolated

senior citizen are more likely to develop sedentary behavior than those non-isolated.

Subtheme 13.1: House chores management

Secondary to walking which is the most accessible form of exercise, house chores management

serves as a strategy in maintaining the health of senior citizens which requires the elderly to work

and burn energy than being sedentary. As stated by Buenaventura and colleagues (2020), actual

work produces benefits for the actual toughness of senior citizens, which can prevent the

invigorating muscle withdrawal, energy consumption, diminishing foundational aggravation and

oxidative pressure, lessening pervasiveness of constant illnesses, and geriatric conditions such as

sarcopenia, osteosarcopenia and delicacy. According to the participants, doing house chores is

their way of maintaining their wellness during quarantine. As claimed by S.F.: “Yung

pagwawalis-walis ko sa bakuran namin, pagtatanim, at pag-gawa ng mga gawaing bahay kasi di

naman ako nalabas ng bahay yun na yung mga exercise ko” which strengthen by F.C.: “Araw-

araw ay ginagawa ko lahat ng gawaing-bahay upang malibang at siyempre para exercise ko na

rin”. and C.A.: “Naglilinis ako ng bahay, naglalaba at iba pa kagaya ng gawain ko sa trabaho”.

The study indicated that despite the COVID-19 pandemic happened, still, the senior citizens are

putting an effort in doing their part towards the amelioration of their health and well-being.