HEALTH STATUS OF THE ELDERLY IN SELECTED BARANGAYS OF THE CITY OF VIGAN: DIMENSIONS AND CORRELATES

Introduction Older adults in our society are stereotyped. Aging is a natural process, but the changes associated with it are rarely viewed as natural or positive. Healthcare professionals commonly describe such changes as losses such as a loss of tissue elasticity or decrease in blood flow. In general, our society regards aging as a series of inevitable, negative events that a person must tolerate (Travis, 2002). Some of the myths, misconception and negative stereotypes about the older people stem from our cultures value and beliefs. Many people perceive older adults as senile, sick and incapable of making worthwhile contributions to society (Travis, 2002). The worlds elderly population is fast increasing, but there is scant information of their health needs in developing countries. The ages 60 and above is the fastest growing age group. Filipino culture, values and traditions dictate that the elderly people must be respected and cared for. In line with this, the updated Philippine Development Plan promotes the familys major role in providing care in the home. It stresses the development of familyoriented support systems to help curb the increase in the number of abandoned and neglected elderly. In addition, it considers the communitys role in providing additional support. It regards voluntary organizations, private firms, or charities, as important resources in filling gaps wherein either the family or the governments provisions of services are insufficient. At present the countrys major programs are The Department Programs for the Elderly, Institutionalized Homes for the Aged and Retirement and other Benefits (National Economic and Development Authority, 1992). The elderly in the Philippines, those aged 60 and above account for a small portion of the population. Demographic trends, however, reveal an alarming increase in the elderly population. Based on the census, they represented 5.28 % and 5.26 % of the total population in 1980 and 1990, respectively. By the year 2030, the number is expected to double the 1990 data and reach more than 6.4 million (Untalasco, 1998). In Region I, the 1990 census reveals that the elderly composed 7 % of the total population compared to the national level of only 5 %. The Ilocos Region tops the list of regions with the biggest elderly population (Untalasco. 1998). There is, therefore, a need to pay attention to this phenomenon. The researchers took interest in conducting this study to determine the actual status of the elderly in selected barangays of the municipality of San Vicente. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship of age and sociodemographic characteristics to health of older persons. Four dimensions of health were measured using a structured questionnaire administered to 34 older adults randomly selected in a rural community. The four health dimensions are functional independence, quality of life, health habits, and chronic illness, while the sociodemographic characteristics that were studied include gender, marital status, education, employment, and living arrangement. It will gather suitable information that will be helpful in the formulation of policies and programs that are more responsive to the needs and problems of the elderly by both private and government sectors. As future health care professionals, the data obtained from this study will serve as baseline data in formulating nursing care plans that would be suitable to the fragile health needs of the elderly.

University of Northern Philippines Tamag, Vigan City Graduate School RS 229B Research Methodology Raymund Christopher R. dela Pea, RN, RM MAN Student

Dr. Gilbert Arce Professor

A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF PATIENTS CAREGIVERS AND NURSES PERCEPTION ON CARING Introduction

All cultures of the world recognize that caregivers have great power to positively influence the patient's physical and mental well-being, and many professionals have sought to understand how such caring has its effect. The nurse's constant presence with the patient gives an intimate perspective on that care, which undergirds the foundation of patient-caregiver relationships. Earlier studies used a research technique called "phenomenology" to examine the experience of human caring and to identify and define the patient's descriptions of caring. In these descriptions, the patient is responding to the five modes of caring: Getting to know (the patient) through assessment; Making a personal approach based on knowledge; Intervening through goaloriented actions; Validating the outcomes of caring and Interacting with the patient using a positive, growth-oriented approach. In patient relationships, caring is essential for growth and well-being; it represents both "being" and "doing," blending the instrumental and expressive, as by their skillful presence caregivers work to create healing environments. The stress of illness and hospitalization creates uncertainty, anxiety and fear in patients and their families. Through personal interaction, care givers can do much to improve the patient's physical and mental well-being, especially in a "high-tech" environment that works against humanizing, high-touch care. Nurses need to make clear to themselves, to their colleagues in medicine and to society; the features of caring that make it effective, so that they can investigate its overall contribution to patient welfare. Such knowledge will help to transform care agencies into environments that promote healing and wholeness. Studies have shown that a match between the patients expectations and the caring actually received may result in high levels of patient satisfaction. In the Philippine setting, the patients family members, as caregivers, play an active role in the patients hospital experience. For high levels of patient satisfaction to be achieved, perceptions of caring behaviors must be congruent among patients, caregivers and nurses. The purpose of this study is to determine patients and their families perceived priorities about nurse caring and to compare these priorities with what the nurses perceive as their priorities. Patients and families expectations must be aligned with nurses perceived priorities of nurse caring among patients, caregivers and nurses; and compared similarities and differences between groups.