Western Mindanao State University

College of Nursing
Zamboanga City
Normal Rd, Zamboanga, 7000 Zamboanga del Sur

A. Demographic Data of Aging Population

The Barangay San Jose Gusu of Zamboanga City has a total aging population of 3000. However, there
are only 390 who are active and registered in Senior Citizen Association. Age must be 60 years old
above. The barangay offers programs for elders such as Hataw Program every month in each zone. For
health serrvices, the barangay offers free check-ups and vaccines or medications e.g for pneumonia.
They just present their booklet issued to them and the prescription from the physician.
Age Bracket
YOUNG OLD (60-75): 2623
OLD (75-85): 300
OLD-OLD (85-100): 74
ELITE (over 100 years): 3

B. Factors that affects the Aging population

“The world stands on the threshold of a stunning demographic transformation. It is called global
ageing and it promises to reshape virtually every dimension of the economy and society over the next
few years” (Jackson et al., 2010).
Ageing is the process of growing old, with a number of transitions in the journey of life. As they grow
old their physical and mental capacities decline and they are not able to manage their life as good as
they were doing it earlier. The transitions may include retirement, relocation, death of spouse or
friends, geriatric syndromes such as frailty, decline in physical activity, problems with memory and
so on. World Health Organization (WHO) states: “Active Ageing is the process of optimizing
opportunities for health, participation and security in order to enhance quality of life as people age”
(WHO, 2002).
The factors are the following:

Genetics
The genes of humans are genetically programmed for ageing. The human genes consist of a protein
called rapamycin that has been responsible for regulation in ageing and growth (Rogers et al., 2016).
There is genetic theory that longevity of life is determined by the longevity of their parents and
grandparents and that identical twins have similar age span than fraternal twins (Rogers et al., 2016).

Metabolism and Oxidation

The metabolism plays an important role in the regulation of ageing and growth. Metabolism produces
reactive chemicals or oxidizing agents that may increase the ageing process due to the damage in
cells. (Bratic&Trifunovic,2010).

Wear and Tear

The cells of an organism are always getting damaged and worn out on daily basis. But, sometimes,
permanent damage occurs to more or less permanent basis that these cannot be repaired easily,
leading to ageing (Rogers et al., 2016).

Heredity
Some people ages faster than others (or rather, looks older than their age/ age much faster
biologically). Heredity also plays a part in the incidence of diseases resulting in premature ageing
and death, the incidence and seriousness of heart attacks, strokes, hypertension, diabetes mellitus,
gall-bladder, liver, kidney and skin diseases, as well as many other ailments, are also decidedly
influenced by nutrition.

Nutrition
Diet can affect the way you age. Oxidative stress is the cumulative, day-to-day assault our cells endure.
The longer we live, the more oxidative stress our bodies experience. Studies show that there are
several foods that appear to repair the toll this stress takes and even protect against further damage.
The foods studied also increase the number of brain cells we have and improve their functioning.
 As we age, our bodies are less able to deal with the oxidative stress we encounter. We also become
more sensitive to inflammatory responses in our central nervous systems. Studies show that a poor
diet- one that is full of saturated fats and trans fats and laden with calories- accelerates aging.
In contrast, a diet rich in nutrients, full of fiber, and low in calories can slow the pace of aging. Also,
eating healthier food while were still young can help our body when we get older.

Lifestyle
Having an unhealthy lifestyle- especially at such a young age can truly affect one’s aging process. A
person who exercises regularly and eats a balance diet every day- with the proper amount of calories,
fruits, vegetables and other nutrients- are much more healthier than those who have an inactive
lifestyle, like sitting on the couch the whole day and watching television, especially those people who
are fond eating processed foods and salty chips.
Having a sedentary lifestyle can lead to problems like obesity which then can also lead to
hypertension, heart problems and bone problems like arthritis.

Working conditions
Working in an environment where there are a lot of stressors can potentially make you age much
faster. Also, when you’re stress your body produces a surge of hormones. These hormones
temporarily increase your blood pressure by causing your heart to beat faster and your blood vessels
to narrow. Although, there's no proof that stress by itself causes long-term high blood pressure.
Having a sedentary work can also be bad for workers at every age. So, considering sit/stand
workstations and walking workstations for workers who traditionally sit all day can make a huge
difference.

C. Economic and socio-cultural implications of the aging population

As the barangay is considered to be the local government unit closest to the people in terms
of access and proximity, its role in local service delivery cannot be undermined. Hence, it is important
for a barangay to learn how to maximise and use its limited funds effectively and efficiently as this
can lead to economic gains that would allow the barangay to support the generation and delivery of
local services to its constituents.
Main impact of an ageing population

 Increase in the dependency ratio. If the retirement age remains fixed, and the life
expectancy increases, there will be relatively more people claiming pension benefits
and fewer people working and paying income taxes. The fear is that it will require
high tax rates on the current, shrinking workforce.
 Increased government spending on health care and pensions. Also, those in retirement
tend to pay lower income taxes because they are not working. This combination of
higher spending commitments and lower tax revenue is a source of concern for
Western governments – especially those with existing debt issues and unfunded
pension schemes.
 Those in work may have to pay higher taxes. This could create disincentives to work
and disincentives for firms to invest. Therefore there could be a fall in productivity
and growth.
 Shortage of workers. An ageing population could lead to a shortage of workers and
hence push up wages causing wage inflation. Alternatively, firms may have to respond
by encouraging more people to enter the workforce, through offering flexible working
practices.
 Changing sectors within the economy. An increase in the numbers of retired people
will create a bigger market for goods and services linked to older people (e.g.
retirement homes)
 Higher savings for pensions may reduce capital investment. If society is putting a
higher % of income into pension funds, it could reduce the amount of savings
available for more productive investment, leading to lower rates of economic growth

D. Laws/ordinances that support the senior citizen

The Philippine Government has enacted laws that cater to the needs and provides privileges and
benefits to older persons.
1. National policy on older people
 Republic Act No. 344 or the Accessibility Law of 1982 provides for the minimum
requirements and standards to make buildings, facilities, and utilities for public use accessible
to persons with disability, including older persons who are confined to wheelchairs and those
who have difficulty in walking or climbing stairs, among others.

 Republic Act No. 7876 entitled “An Act Establishing a Senior Citizens Center in all Cities and
Municipalities of the Philippines, and Appropriating Funds Therefore” provides for the
establishment of Senior Citizens Centers to cater to older persons’ socialization and
interaction needs as well as to serve as a venue for the conduct of other meaningful activities.
The DSWD in coordination with other government agencies, NGOs and people’s organizations
shall provide the necessary technical assistance in the form of social and recreational services,
health and personal care services, spiritual services, livelihood services and volunteer
resource services.

 Republic Act No. 8425 provides for the institutionalization and enhancement of the social
reform agenda by creating the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC). Through its multi-
dimensional and cross-sectoral approach, NAPC provides a mechanism for older persons to
participate in policy formulation and decision-making on matters concerning poverty
alleviation.

 Republic Act No. 10155, known as “The General Appropriations Act of 2012”, under Section
28 mandates that all government agencies and instrumentalities should allocate one percent
of their total agency budget to programs and projects for older persons and persons with
disabilities.

 Republic Act No. 9994, known as “Expanded Seniors Citizen Act of 2010″, an act granting
additional benefits and privileges to senior citizens, further amending Republic Act No. 7432
and otherwise known as “an act to maximize the contribution of senior citizens to nation
building, grant benefits and special privileges and for other purposes”.

2. Presidential Proclamations and Executive Orders

Presidential Proclamation No. 470, Series of 1994, declaring the first week of October of every year
as “Elderly Filipino Week.”

Presidential Proclamation No. 1048, Series of 1999, declaring a “Nationwide Observance in the
Philippines of the International Year of Older Persons”.

Executive Order No. 105, Series of 2003, approved and directed the implementation of the program
providing for group homes and foster homes for neglected, abandoned, abused, detached, and poor
older persons and persons with disabilities.

3. The Philippine Plan of Action for Senior Citizens (2011-2016) This plan aims to ensure giving
priority to community-based approaches which are gender-responsive, with effective leadership and
meaningful participation of senior citizens in decision-making processes, both in the context of family
and community. This plan of action aims to ensure active aging for senior citizens where preventive
and promotive aspects of health are emphasized in communities and where health services are
accessible, affordable and available at all times. Envisioning a population of senior citizens who are
self-sufficient and self-reliant, this plan aims to promote financial security and financial
independence of senior citizens by developing community-based local delivery systems to address
their needs.

4. Health and care

The Department of Social Welfare Development (DSWD) has issued Administrative Order No. 4
series of 2010, “Guidelines on the Home Care Support Services for Senior Citizens”, establishing
community-based health care services for older persons.

 The RA 9994 provides health care services for poor older persons such as free medical
services on government hospitals, discounted services on private hospitals and clinics, free
vaccines, discounted medicines, and mandatory PhilHealth coverage.
 5. Older people’s associations
The Philippine Constitution supports the formation of community-based organizations. The DSWD
have facilitated the formation of older people’s associations in every city and municipality. They are
also tasked to provide technical assistance to support and strengthen OPAs.

6. Social pension
Under the RA 9994, the Philippine Government provides a social pension of 12USD (Php500) per
month to poor older persons aged 77 and over who are not yet receiving any government or private
pension. The Department of Social Welfare and Development is the lead agency tasked with
identifying and reviewing social pension beneficiaries.

E. Life’s framework
My client is Hja. Nurrahma Sadjaluddin. She is 75 years old. She grew up in their province
Jolo until she got married. Her life as what she had shared, is peaceful and simple. At early
age, she was already practiced to do household chores and cooking. She already knows the
value of saving money because accordingly money that time was really hard to find. They
all lived as one family, their relatives are family also. She follows the rules of her strict
parents because punishments according to her that time is fear-causing.
She got married at an early age of 20 and had kids of three which are all boys. She then
continues the married life and stays at home to provide guidance and care to her children.
Her husband is a land owner so they doesn't have much trouble on financial issue and got
their children to attend to school. Unfortunately, her second son died due to respiratory
problems. And the war happened, which cause them to moved here in Zamboanga due to
fear that they would be held by the soldiers. They started to continue their life and moved
on. Her children continues their studies in this town. Her eldest finish college with a degree
of civil engineer and the youngest is businessman. She felt happy that time because she
feels contented and proud on what her children achieved. When they found a family on
their own she realizes that time is so short and life is just like a cycle that everyone would
surely pass through. Seeing them from just only a child and now they have a children on
their own. Now she enjoys her life with a dozen and more of a grandsons and
granddaughters who still stays with her on the same roof. As what she says, life is so short
so spend it with your treasured loved ones and just enjoy God's gift which is life.

F. Identify and prioritization of the health problems

A wide range of changes can happen in the body to different degrees as we age. These
changes are not necessarily indicative of an underlying disease but they can be distressing to the
individual. Even though the aging process cannot be stopped, being aware of these changes and
adopting a healthy lifestyle can reduce their impact on overall health.
General problems of my client are fatigue, general deconditioning, forgetfulness, medication side
effects, diminished appetite, weight loss, falls.
Vision: Eyes are drier. Vision can be affected by these changes and can become blurry and out of
focus. And she uses glasses to correct these problems.
Hearing: changes in nerves of hearing and ear structures can dim hearing and cause age-related
hearing loss.
Mobility and balance: Falls may occur resulting in further damage with bruises and fractures.

References:
https://www.igi-global.com/chapter/factors-contributing-of-ageing/201394
www.economicshelp.org/blog/8950/society/impact-ageing-population-economy/
http://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ageing-and-health
http://www.medicinenet.com/senior_health/article.htm#what_are_the_most_common_diseases_and_condi
tions_seniors_face_as_they_age