Care of the adult

• Gerontology is the study of aging and older adults. The science of

gerontology has evolved as longevity has improved. Researchers
in this field are diverse and are trained in areas such as physiology,
social science, psychology, public health, and policy. A more
complete definition of gerontology includes all of the following:

• Scientific studies of processes associated with the bodily changes

from middle age through later life;
• Multidisciplinary investigation of societal changes resulting from
an aging population and ranging from the humanities (e.g., history,
philosophy, literature) to economics; and
• Applications of this knowledge to policies and programs.
Attitudes Towards Aging
• An attitude can generally be defined as a tendency to evaluate
an “attitude object,” which can include persons, objects, ideas,
or events, either favorably or unfavorably (Eagly & Chaiken,
1993). Social psychologists define an attitude more specifically
in terms of three components: cognitive reactions, which
include beliefs or perceptions about the attitude object;
emotional reactions; and behavior directed toward the attitude
object (Eagly & Chaiken, 1993). Attitudes toward aging can be
conceptualized in two ways: (1) when older adults are judged
by younger individuals as being different by virtue of being
older and (2) when evaluative judgments based on age impact
individuals of any age over the life course (Bytheway, 2005).
Myths About Aging
• ageist stereotypes dressed-up in the garb of myth that biases
perceptions and experiences of being old. The paper argues current
''mythmaking'' about aging perpetuates that which it intends to
dispel: ageism. It considers how traditional myths and folklore
explained personal experience, shaped social life, and offered
meaning for the unexplainable. The current myths of aging perform
these same functions in our culture; however, they are based on
half-truths, false knowledge, and stated as ageist stereotypes about
that which is known. Current myths of aging found in the media and
literature of aging are not myths as such, but ''straw man'' statements
that attempt to inform; however, they reinforce misconceptions and
wrong information about aging as experienced by the vast majority
of older people.
MYTHS ABOUT AGING
• Myth: Being old means being sick
• Fact: Only 5% of older people live in nursing homes.
Some elderly people have chronic diseases but still function
quite well.
• Myth: Older people are set in their ways and cannot learn new
things
• Fact: Older people should be challenged to stay mentally
active.
Older people who learn to play an instrument or learn a
new language are less likely to get Alzheimer’s disease.
• Myth: Health promotion is wasted on older people.
• Fact: It is never too late to start good lifestyle habits like
eating a healthy diet and engaging in exercise.
It is never too late to stop bad habits like smoking
cigarettes or drinking too much alcohol.
• Myth: The elderly people contribute greatly to society by
supporting the arts, doing volunteer work and helping
grandchildren.
• Paid employment is not the only measure of value and
productivity.
Gerontophobia
• Gerontophobia is an anxiety disorder characterized by an
abnormal, irrational, and intense fear of the elderly, becoming
old, or both. While most people do not like becoming old due
to more personal physical limitations,illnesses, and observing
the death of friends and lovedones, this dislike becomes
pathological when it significantly limits the person’s daily
functioning and/or causes harm.
Ageism
Ageism is a process of stereotyping and discriminating against
people because they are old. From a definitional perspective,
ageism is like racism or sexism in that it treats people differently
based on stereotypes about a group. Ageism as a term and as a
process to be studied is relatively new, an ironic twist for the
study of how society views getting old. Most studies of ageist
attitudes tend to focus on its negative aspects. From the
anthropological and gerontological studies, we can see the
ageism and discrimination of old age in pre-industrial societies
Economic of Aging
• The Philippines is a diverse country that will experience an increase
in its aging population in the near future. The aim of this article is to
provide an overview of the main issues surrounding population
aging, as well as family caregiving and policies that are of concern
to older adults in the Philippines. Policymakers and government
leaders must plan for the expected growth in the numbers of older
adults, which is likely to increase the demand for services and
support for elders and their caregiving families. The Philippines’
unique history and rich culture shapes its citizens’ views on aging
and bolsters expectations of informal caregiving for older family
members. Research on aging in the Philippines and current policies
must be enhanced to adequately address the needs of the country’s
aging citizens.
• A major area of policy focus for older Filipinos is in social welfare.
The Philippines has a high poverty rate that is attributed to low
worker education, a lack of skilled work, living in a rural area, and
the high dependency burden that the working-age population must
shoulder (Bayudan-Dacuycuy & Lim, 2013). Due to the large
percentage of young adults and children in the Philippines, there is a
high dependency ratio, which means that older Filipinos often are not
able to save for retirement because they may have young dependents
(Duaqui, 2013; World Bank Group, 2017). Older Filipinos may have
to sacrifice their financial assets to care for younger family members.
Although 1.3 million older Filipinos in poverty may qualify for a
monthly pension under the country’s Social Pension Act (RA 9994),
the amount equates to about 12 U.S. dollars for Filipinos aged 77
years or older (Help Age Global Network, 2017b), which may not be
sufficient to cover older Filipinos’ living expenses.
 Policy and Caregiving
• A lack of institutional care in the Philippines means that older
Filipinos are often cared for by family members at home
(Duaqui, 2013). This informal care network is vital because
there are inadequate social security and institutional care
available for older Filipinos. There are current policies to
protect the welfare of formal caregivers ( “Caregivers Welfare
Act,” 2016); however, policies should also address the
demands of Filipino informal caregivers by offering paid
family leave or even payment to family caregivers who are in
need.
Active Senior Citizen Groups
• Department of Geriatric Services (formerly known as the
National Center for Geriatric Health) of Jose R. Reyes
Memorial Medical Center
• Institute for Aging of UP Manila
• Philippine College of Geriatric Medicine
• Philippine Health Insurance Corporation
• Department of Social Welfare and Development
• Coalition of Services of the Elderly
• Association of Department of Health Retired Employees
 Housing
- Independent
What is it? Any housing designed exclusively for seniors, usually including
retirement communities, retirement homes, senior housing, and senior
apartments.

Who it’s good for? Older adults who want to live in an active community
setting, free from worries about daily chores like house maintenance,
cooking, or housekeeping.

- Assisted living community

What is it? An assisted living community typically consists of small
apartments in a care community. There’s a wide range of services across
different care communities.

Who it’s good for? Older adults who can live somewhat independently, but
require some assistance. Some communities do offer higher levels of care.
- Life release

- Government Subsidized

-Community Residential
What is it? This model links neighbors and local businesses together to help each
other stay in their homes as they grow older.
Who it’s good for? Older adults who want help similar to what they would get at
a retirement community, but don’t want to leave their homes.

- Nursing home / skilled nursing facility

What is it? This option is for older adults who need 24-hour supervised care with
meals, activities, and health management.
Who it’s good for? Older adults with severe or debilitating physical or mental
illnesses who are unable to care for themselves
 Healthcare in the
Philippines
In support of the RA 9257 (The Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2003) and the RA 9994 (Expanded
Senior Citizen Act of 2010), the Department of Health issued Administrative Orders for health
implementors to undertake and promote the health and wellness of senior citizens as well as to alleviate
the conditions of older persons who are encountering degenerative diseases.

With the goal of Health and Wellness Program for Senior Citizen of promoting quality of life among older
persons and contribute to the nation building, the HWPSC intends to provide the following:

• focused service delivery packages and integrated continuum of quality care,

• patient-centered and environment standard to ensure safety and accessibility for senior citizens,
• equitable health financing,
• capacitated health providers in the implementation of health programs for senior citizens,
• data base management, and
• strengthened coordination and collaboration with other stakeholders involved in the implementation of
programs for senior citizens.

In the current Philippine Health Agenda (2017 - 2022), guarantees that centralize health services for care
in all life stages, service delivery networks, and financial risk protection, geriatric health is mentioned as
an area of concern. All senior citizens are mandatorily covered by the Philippine Health Insurance
Corporation by virtue of Republic Act No. 10642 “An act granting mandatory national health insurance
program of PhilHealth for all senior citizens”.