Filipino Elderly's Sense of Reminiscence, Living Disposition, and End-of-Life Views

The societal view that regards geriatrics as a period of decline may not be congruent to the views of elderly people themselves. This gives rise to the need for further understanding of how elderly individuals evaluate their lives. A phenomenological design was employed for purposes of discovering and characterizing the essence behind the life experiences and disposition of a select group of Filipino elderly and its role in shaping their attitudes toward death. Five individuals aged 65 and above were purposively chosen to participate. Interviews were tape-recorded, transcribed, and examined, applying both processing and scrutiny techniques. A set of themes representing the elderly's lived experiences was surfaced through warm and cool analyses. The study revealed that geriatrics is a period of intersection of the three dimensions of elderly's lived experience-reminiscence, living disposition, and end-of-life views. The respondents viewed their families as their main source of support and guidance, values, principles, and beliefs. Accepting problems as integral to life, they have found a driving force that made them surpass these challenges. New beliefs and attitudes were acquired, resulting in providing self-control, strength, appreciation, genuine spirituality, gratitude, fulfillment, and self-worth. In their end-of-life views, dignity was a major issue which must be recognized and reinforced prior to embracing one's destiny to die. The present study maintains that the three dimensions of elderly's lived experiences are equally important in geriatric care practice. This offers valuable insights and reflections for a better understanding of geriatrics as a neglected field in the health-care delivery system.