Letty G.

Kuan

“I have grown and sown and

now I can reap the reward and
blessing of a life lived in joy and
love, for I too have made others
grow”
Letty G. Kuan

Dr. Kuan is a nurse. She had 2 Masters

Degrees, MA in Nursing and MA
education, (Guidance and Counseling).
For her vast contributions to the
University of the Philippines College of
Nursing faculty and academic
achievements, she is now a professor
emeritus, a title awarded only to a few
who met the strict criteria
Letty G. Kuan
Metrobank Foundation
Outstanding Teachers Award in
She had clinical fellowship and 1995.
specialization in neuropsychology in
University of Paris, France.
Neurogerentology in Watertown,
New York. She also had bioethics
formal training at institute of
religion, Ethics and Law at Baylor
College of Medicine in Houston
Texas. She is a recipient of the
Retirement and Role Discontinuities
Retirement is an inevitable change
in one’s life. It is evident in the
increasing statistics of aging
population accompanied by related
disabilities and increased
dependence. This developmental
stage, even at the later part of life
must be considered desirable and
satisfying through
The determination of factors that will
help the person enjoy his remaining
years of life. It is of primary
importance to prepare early in life by
cultivating other role options at age
50 to 60 in order to have a rewarding
retirement period even amidst the
presence of role discontinuities
experienced by this age group.
Basic Assumptions and Concepts
Physiological Age- is the endurance of
cells and tissues to withstand the wear
and tear phenomenon of the human
body
Role- refers to the set of shared
expectations focused upon a particular
position. These may include beliefs
about what goals or values the position
incumbent is to pursue and the norms
that will govern his behavior.
Change of life- is the period
between near retirement and post
retirement years. In the medico-
physiologic terms, this equates
with the climacteric period of
adjustment and readjustment to
another tempo of life.
Basic Assumptions and Concepts

Retiree- is an individual who has left the
position occupied for the past years of
productive life because he/she has
reached the prescribed retirement age or
has completed the required years of
service.
Role Discontinuity- is the interruption in
the line of status enjoyed or role
performed. The interruption in the line of
status enjoyed or role performed.
Coping Approaches- refer to the
interventions or measure applied
to solve a problematic situation
or state in order to restore or
maintain equilibrium and normal
functioning.
Basic Assumptions and Concepts
Determinants of positive perceptions in
retirement and positive reactions
toward role discontinuities:
1. Health Status- refer to physiological
and mental state of the respondents,
classified as either sickly or healthy.
2. Income- refers to the financial
affluence of the respondent which can
be classified as poor, moderate or rich.
3. Work Status
4. Family Constellation- means the type
of family composition described either
close knit or extended family where three
or more generations of family members
live under one roof; or distanced family.
Whose member live in separate dwelling
units; or nuclear type of family where only
husband, wife and children live together
5. Self Preparation
Findings and Recommendations
1. Health status dictates the
capacities and the type of role
one takes both for the present
and for the future.
2. Family constellation is a
positive index regarding
retirement positively and also
in reacting to role
discontinuities.
3. Income has a high correlation
with both the perception of
retirement and reactions toward
discontinuities.
4. Work status goes hand in hand
with economic security that
generates descent compensation.
Findings and Recommendations
5. Self Preparation which are said
to be both therapeutic and
recreational in essence pays its
worth in old age. This does not
only account professionalism or
expertise but also benevolent
work as in charitable actions with
the colleagues.
6. To cope with the changes
brought by retirement, one must
cultivate interest in recreational
activities to channel feelings of
depression or isolation and facing
realities through confrontation
with some issues
Findings and Recommendations
7. To perceive retirement
positively, it requires early
socialization of the various roles
we take in life. The best place to
start is at home extending to
schools, neighborhood, the
community and society in general.
8. Government agency to
construct holistic pre retirement
preparation program which will
take care of the retiree’s finances,
psychological. Emotional and
social needs.
9. Retirement should be
recognized as the fulfillment of
every individual’s birthright and
must lived meaningfully.