Angeles University Foundation College of Nursing Angeles City

DAPITHAP ON
Film Review on Gerontologic Nursing
Submitted by: Cunanan, Abegail Cruz, Ryan Dare, Miguel Carlos Driodoco, Fatima Gonzaga, Kathleen Joy Ferrer, Katrina Rose Manaloto, Maria Sarah Manumbali, Nico Paolo Pasion, Katherine Tabzon, Alona Group 11; BSN IV 2 Submitted to: Jaypee Landingin RN MN

EPISODE 1: KALABAW LANG ANG TUMATANDA

SUMMARY: The 1st episode of Dapit Hapon Reel Time is entitled kalabaw lang ang tumatanda. An elderly woman named lola Marcelina Anching Gonzales working as a cigarette and newspaper vendor at Loring street in Pasay City since 1964. Lola Anching is a widow from Nagara Leyte, and also she has no family left in Leyte. She has 6 children and 12 grandchildren and she is the one who works to provide for their everyday needs. Since lola Anching is already very old she is being helped by her little grandson Jojo in selling her newspapers and cigarettes. Lola Anching says that even though she is old, she is still bale to work and she said that she needs to because she doesnt want to see her children starving. Also, work is her coping mechanism. She stated that selling in the streets and watching people passing by helps her forget all of her problems. Lola Anching was so hard working that no matter what the weather is, she will still continue to sell her goods and stay in the street just to earn money. One rainy night, after 15 hours of staying in the street she earned 122 pesos. When the rain came, lola Anching got busy arranging her umbrella but she had a very hard time in fixing it since she is very old and she was in a great hurry. While she was busy fixing her umbrella, someone came and stole her 122 pesos then, after that unfortunate event, the man who lend her money came asking for the money she borrowed to buy her newspapers She kept on looking for the money but she never saw it, she didnt know what to do so she went home with nothing even if she stayed in the street for long hours. This is the lofe of Lola Anching ans she is praying and hoping that someday God will send to her a good man that will help her and give her something to sell in the street so that she will never have to borrow money from someone. She is also praying for God to give her long life even though her life is very hard.

The second story is about a 70 year-old woman named lola Lydia Ramirez. She lives alone ever since she left her province when her 3 children got married at a very young age. It had been 5 years since she left and Lola Lydia cannot deny that she really misses her children and wants to come back home, everyone wants to be home she stated. She had a good life in the province and they had a big lot with lots of farm animals. But now she works by herself as a mangangalakal which is picking anything up in the street to sell them for money. lola Lydia never cared what people said regarding her job, she stated that she is not afraid of not being able to eat in a day. She believes that life is like a wheel; sometimes you are up and sometimes you are down. She believes that a time will come when those people at the top will be going down and they cannot do anything but to work hard just to live. ANALYSIS: Without even knowing it, people can allow ageism or the assumptions about a persons roles in society based solely on their age and to creep into their communications. Disrespect among older adults was very evident in the film. An example of this was when a guy who was asking for his change shouts at Lola Anching. Ageism is a term that usually refers to stereotyping and devaluation of seniors and a practice that people should guard against at all cost. Some persons have unique and very personal experiences that may be outside the realm of usual or traditional practices of older adults. Hence, individuals may be reluctant to describe these. However, this sharing may be very helpful in resolving some distress older persons may feel in their spiritual lives. Allowing persons to express these personal experiences serves as an outlet for emotions. Lola Lydia Ramirez, also experienced different kinds of challenges in her life. She had experienced the process called, Life review which is defined as

a systematic cognitive emotional process. The older individual thinks back across her or her life experiences integrates disparate events into general themes (Allen, et.al. 2003). It may be the physical, social, and other changes of old age that activate life review. It is just more than just story telling; sifting through memories allows older persons to gain new understanding of their life experiences that helps to define the meaning of their lives (Silver, 2002). Events or circumstances may threaten the strength and stability of spirituality in older adults same as in the situation of Lola Lydia such as her losses such as her skills, job loss or retirement, death of a loved one since she is now a widow and her separation from her three daughters because of unresolved issues, personal and family disaster such as bankruptcy or estrangement of family members, and of her experiences when she was still at a young age and she lives on a big house. She has now the courage to face the people and being proud of her pangangalakal. According to her, her experiences developed her strength, flexibility and becoming a better woman. She is not afraid of starving as stated. Depression in the older adult can be disabling, contributing to problems with activities of daily living and thus increasing their dependence on others and the health care system. Lola Lydia treats her cats like her daughters. She names her cats same as her daughters such as Tisay. She also wanted to see her family and misses them so much. Depression is a common problem in older adults. One is especially vulnerable if health problems are present. The symptoms of depression affect every aspect life, including our energy, appetite, sleep, and interest in work, hobbies, and relationships.

EPISODE 2: MAS
SUMMARY:

MATIMBANG ANG DUGO SA TUBIG

The second episode is entitled Mas Matimbang Ang Dugo Sa Tubig (Blood Is Thicker Than Water). It features four elders who shared some of their common experiences. One of them was Lola Lydia Ramirez who is 70 years old currently residing at Paraaque City. Despite of her age she is working as mangangalakal or those who collects bottles, plastics, papers, etc. to sell on junk shops to earn little money. According a neighbour, Lola Lydia used to be a money lender. However those people who asked money from her, including her immediate relatives, did not pay her. This was the reason why she is in her situation right now, working because of poverty. Lola Lydia is lives alone without a decent home, her basic needs such as clothing and food is lacking and she was abandoned by her family and relatives. Lola Juliana Vicente, a 74 year-old woman currently at Golden Acres. Lola Juliana is suffering from Parkinsons disease and according to her at the age of 14 years old she already had this illness. According to her, she does not have any children and she did not get married because of her condition. Lola Juliana said that she does not want to have children because she does not want them to suffer since she will not have the capability to take good care of them due to her illness. Her family does not know that she lived in the Golden Acres. Lola Marcelina Conching Gonzales is a 84 year-old street vendor at Pasay. She stated that she must wake up early in order to do household chores, take care of her grandchildren and to arrange their space in a street in Pasay where they sell candies and cigarettes with her daughter in law. Lola Conching can only afford to have 2 hours of rest and sleep every night but she said that she is satisfied with that since she has to work hard to earn money. She is doing

all of these because she wants to help her daughter in law and her grandchildren. According to her daughter in law, they dont want Lola Conching to sell candies and cigarettes anymore but Lola Conching insists because she wants to be able to help. The last story was about Lolo Felipe De Leon who is 86 years old and currently living at the Golden Acres. According to Lolo Felipe, it was his own decision to go live at the Golden Acres and he did not tell anybody about it even his children. His reason for this is to test them if they will look for him or not. Also, according to him their house in Muntinlupa got burned and after that incident they somewhat neglected him. Also, Lolo Felipe said that until now he still roams around the area where his children lives in order for them to know that he is alive but unfortunately not even one of them bothered to visit him. However, Lolo Felipe said that his youngest child who is in abroad already know that he is in the Golden Acres and she told her father that she will go back here in the Philippines to visit him. Lolo Felipe is looking forward and hoping to see his daughter. ANALYSIS: Filipino families are known for having a nuclear or joint family system where all members live with their elderly. Although many of them have many financial problems and space constraints in their homes, they still manage to accommodate their grandparents with them when they no longer able to take care of themselves. They feel morally obligated to fulfill their duties as sons and daughters by taking good care of their parents in their old age. After watching the documentary Dapithapon one cant help but ask: are Filipinos really known for having close family ties? Watching this documentary is like watching a heavy drama which can really break ones heart. It shows how these elderly people struggle in their everyday lives just to suffice not only their own needs but most of all, their familys needs. Episode 2 which is entitled Mas Matimbang Ang Dugo Sa Tubig is a story where in the four main characters

showed their love, concern and longing for their family in different ways. First, the story of Lola Lydia who is then the exact opposite of what she is right now, back then Lola Lydia can by what she wants and can suffice all her basic needs. But because of her kindness especially to her immediate relatives and family she lend them money but unfortunately they did not pay her. However, according to Lola Lydia she doesnt have any hard feelings for them instead she always says Ganito talaga ang buhay, wala na tayong magagawa. Lola Lydia showed that despite of her old age and the absence of her family she stands strong and continue to live her life with kindness on her heart. Her story depicts how ageist tends to abuse old people through financial abuse. Since older adults are an easy prey for financial frauds, they are often victimized by other people that can lead to the point that the elderly do not anymore have enough money to provide for their needs. Lola Lydia is also a victim of abandonment. She was left alone to life by her self and to work hard to provide for her own needs. The story of Lola Juliana Vicente, she showed her love and concern for her future children by considering not just herself but on what will be the condition of her future children if she decided to get married and give birth if she is suffering from a disease. This heart melting confession is seen in the statement of Lola Juliana, and this includes; Ayokong mag-asawa dahil sa kalagayan ko, Ayokong magka-anak, ako ang magpapakahirap sa panganganak tapos pamimigay ko? Ano yun kuting?. These only shows that Lola Juliana desires to remain single rather than having a husband and giving birth without any assurance on to what will be their condition in the future. Third, the story of Lola Marcelina Conching Gonzales, Lola Conching showed her selfless love and concern for her daughter in law and her grand children through working despite of her age. Shes not only thinking about herself but her very reason why she is doing all of these is to help and somehow suffice the needs of her grandchildren. Lola Conching is selflessly giving herself for the betterment of her family despite of her old age. This is seen in her statements; Walang araw walang gabi sakin, kasi sa araw nagtatrabaho ako, nagtitinda, Tapos

maglalaba ako, tapos maliligo, Halos dalawang oras lang pahinga ko. The last is the story of Lolo Felipe De Leon which is a story of hope. Lolo Felipe decided on his own to go to Golden Acres without saying to her family. Unfortunately, no one even bother to visit him and he was neglected by his children. However, Lolo Felipe despite of the many years that have passed he is still longing for the presence and love of his children. He is still hoping that one of this days one of his children will visit him and will fulfill her promise that they will be together forever. This hope is seen in the statements of Lolo Felipe; Okay lang yun, kasi kaugali ko yun eh, yung bunso, anak ko yun eh, tska nung maghiwalay kami sabi nya saken, Dad, tandaan mo you and I forever. With all of these stories what Ms. Hazel Militante who is the head social worker in the Golden Acres said really make sense and somehow heart breaking. She said that, some of the people who bring old individuals in their institution deny that they are related with them but in the end they found out that he/she is part of their family. Probably, we cannot deny the fact or blame some of the Lolos and Lolas in the Golden Acres to have some grudges to their family members because it really hurts when you know that you have family that can take good care of you but instead of doing so they will just entrust you to a institution.

EPISODE 3: KAPAG
SUMMARY:

ORAS MO NA

The third episode features four elderly women. It started with Lola Anching walking on the streets towards her humble bed. She had been sleeping in the street with a cardboard for a mattress, her clothes in a plastic bag for a pillow and a blanket. She stated that she chose to sleep in the streets because she does not want to be a burden to her sons family. Lola Anching is contented of her bed

and she stated that she does not even want to eat in their house because she thinks of her grandchildren. The next individual that was featured was the 84-year old Lola Connie Bayona. Lola Connie is suffering from many health ailments such as stage 4 breast cancer, osteoporosis and heart problems. Since she never got married and all of her savings were drained from her medical treatment, Lola Connie chose to live in the Golden Acres. She states that she prefers to live there since nobody would like to take care of an old woman with so many ailments. Also, she thinks that her relatives would just get tired of taking care of her and give up eventually. She says that life in the Golden Acres is much peaceful. After Lola Connies story, an old woman talking to her cats was portrayed. The lady was malnourished and she was living in the street with all the garbage. Only her neighbour helps her with her basic needs. The woman was also suffering from bronchiectasis and she had no family to care for her and no shelter to house her in. the last story in the episode was the story of lola Evelyn Delos Santos. Lola Evelyn was 61 years old and she is suffering from dementia. She is also bed ridden and she has no more relatives. She is one of the many individuals who breathe their last at the Golden Acres Infirmary without baing able to see their loved ones. At the end of the episode, Lola Evelyn was buried and only the care givers were present to burry her. No relatives, no loved ones ANALYSIS: In this episode abandonment is the ethical issue that stands out. Lola Evelyn and Lola Anching were left alone to live by themselves. It is heart breaking to watch Lola Evelyn die alone with no family or loved ones to be with them. They have spent their whole life serving society, taking care of their children and families. In the end, they were abandoned and left forgotten.

In Lola Anchings story, her life depicted different type of neglect. She is a victim of passive neglect since his son failed to provide for her a decent shelter to live in due to financial constraints. Lola Anching also suffers from self neglect since she always thinks of the welfare of her family members to the point that she chose to sleep in the streets and to starve herself in order to be able to allot more food for her grand children. Her son also has a stereotype thinking of the old people. He stated that Pero ayaw niya anong magagawa namin? Kaysa naman mag-ano yung matanda diba? Para lang manahimik. The son perceived the actions of her mother as hard headedness other than an act of love and selflessness.

EPISODE 4: PAGLALAKBAY AT PATUTUNGUHAN

SUMMARY: The Golden Acres is an institution here in the country that caters to the care of the elderly, who are abandoned, abused and surrendered to their facility for nursing care. In the short clip, it states the story of one old lady who stayed in the facility because she was abused by her son. She was mistreated and physically hurt because, as she puts it, she could not anymore provide for her family. Until, on the day of her birthday, she surrendered herself to the institution. Inside the nursing home, she met several other old women who have different stories to tell. They grew close to each other and they have considered themselves as one big family. Until such time that she has to leave the facility. She bid goodbye as she was transferred to another facility where she would be well taken care of.

ANALYSIS: In this clip, abandonment and abuse was seen as some of the ethical issues. For the group, an elderly woman such as her should not be expected to work and provide for her family. Especially if her son is already fifty years old, capable of earning for himself, is of a stringer physique and thus, more able to work and provide food on the table. Abuse of the elderly is common scenarios abroad but due to the Filipinos strong bonds or close family ties, cases of abuse are seldom seen and reported. There may be several reasons for abuse. Based from the clip, money was the mere reason. For the group, this reason for abuse is absurd, unfair and irrational. It has been said that the childrens obligation is to assure their parents responsibilities and take care of their parents as they grow old and gray. The group think that it is just right for the elderly to receive care and be reciprocated with love. After all, that is all they need to feel appreciated and gratified.

EPISODE 5: BAGONG
SUMMARY:

BUHAY

The episode was entitled Bagong Buhay and it was about a elderly woman who was brought to an institution by the local government. At the beginning, the elderly woman was angry and crying because her things got lost with all of her clothes and basic necessities. The elderly woman was brought to an institution located in Quezon City at the back of a mall and a car park and it was really crowded and when there is a brown out the generator of the mall is very disturbing. Same as the said institution was another institution located at Rizal where elderly people used to enjoy the view and they are free from pollution. Most of the admissions of elderly patient in the institution are coming from the local government for example referrals from other offices wherein a elderly is loitering around the streets and those who are lost. The institution is

helping the elderly in spite of being admitted to contact their family members. The elderly was used to the life inside the institution and boredom do not strike and seldom there is a dull moment for them since they have their productivity service like gardening and paper origami. They are also fun of singing and dancing since they still need to rehabilitate their psychosocial needs in which elderly patient needs to cope emotionally and socially. They also play badminton as their form of exercise. The institution is calling upon the family members of the elders to come and visit them at the institution and things which cannot be given to the elders will be discussed to the family members. They are also calling upon the donors to offer their donations in terms of financial and even their time. The elderly woman is now 82 years old and she said that she do not want to stop selling and the institution recommended the local government to contact her family members in the province. She was still in the streets to find junks and sell it. She said that she wanted to go home to her family. ANALYSIS: Every each and one of us will age and will be termed as lolo and lola. We will experience the changes in terms of physical, emotional, social and spiritual aspect. Whether we make it to our 70s, 80s and even 90s or more still we will all die, return into dust and return to God our creator. It is important especially for us student nurses to really care for our elderly patients and it is our duty to help them cope physically, emotionally, socially and spiritually. One mistreatment of an elderly shown in the film was when Lola Lydias things got lost. This shows that elders are being taken advantage of rude people. Even her basic necessities are stolen to her. It is really disappointing to know that such mistreatments are happening in our country. Instead of giving them especially something they are still being robbed of their things. Another mistreatment to an elderly depict in the episode is abandonment. Elders are being abandoned by their families wherein they should be taken good care of. There was a saying there is no other place like home and this means that members of the family love and care for each other. Respect is being earned through the family and

eventually in the community. In the episode, elders have their new found home wherein their families are also elders like them. We feel sad because of the fact that family members have their chance to reciprocate the care given to them while they are young but they did not grab their once in a lifetime experience to take care of the most precious people in their lives. It is really nice to know that there are people who shelter elders in spite of different backgrounds. The local government served as a bridge for elders to have a new home. At least in their new found home, the elders can thrive and do what they want. They are given a chance to socialize with each other. One nice thing that the institution is doing is contacting the family members of the elders and offering help to them on how to regain the vigor of the elders. Aging is an inevitable part of a human being. Elders must give and impart their knowledge and wisdom and not their disappointments and sad experience in their lives. For now, we may not be able to understand how they feel but one thing is for sure, one time in our life we will all understand them. As their family, we must not abandon them but feel proud for them for without them, we will never be where we are now. Respect must never be lost and most importantly our love for them must never stop.