Undergraduate Thesis
Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Social Studies
University of Rizal System, Rodriguez, Rizal

2018

This study aimed to determine the life and condition of abandoned senior citizens at Anawim Lay Missions Home for the Aged at at Sitio Tanag, Barangay San Isidro, Rodriguez, Rizal with the total respondents of 10; 2 senioritos, 2 senioritas, 4 caregivers, and 2 officers-in-charge (1 social worker and 1 administration assistant). The researchers conducted this study during the School Year 2017-2018.

Descriptive research was utilized in this study using guide questions during interview. Hence, the obtained data were helpful in the analysis and interpretation of the problems set in this study.

From the gathered data, the following findings were summarized: Some of the senioritos and senioritas have been staying in the institution for quite long period of time For the status of elderlies inside the institution, in terms of health; the common diseases of the elderlies were hypertension, Alzheimer's diseases, and diabetes. In terms of sanitation, for personal hygiene; the only problem was that, some of the elderlies didn't want an assistance to take a bath. In terms of security, the institution had a security guard and the only problem was the lack of perimeter fences. In terms of overall treatment of the caregiver, the respondents saw no problem, because the elderlies had a medical assistance, but based on the observation of researchers; they lacked of caregiver, resident nurses, and they did not have a resident doctor.

Some of the elderlies had a problem with their mental health, because some of them could not control their emotions, particularly their anger. There was an instance where some of the elderlies were crying asking for some help and some of the elderlies fought to each other, but the caregivers were there to control the unwanted situation, and the institution were open for an outreach program for the socialization of the elderlies. The elderlies also had a coloring book for their past time and they had spiritual life enhancement activity for them to forget their problems.

Anawim is non-governmental organization (NGO), so it is independent and the institution doesn't have a connection with the Local Government Unit (LGU).

From the gathered data, the following conclusions were elicited: Senioritos and senioritas are well taken care in the institution. They are provided with proper treatment, well secured area, well sustained sanitation and complete medication. Due to their deteriorating age, they experienced peculiar behavior among them such as mood swing, shouting, unwanted crying and fighting. Spiritual enrichment help the institution's beneficiaries cope up with the problems they are confronted with. Only private non-governmental organizations extend helps to sustain the operation of the institution. With the existence of Anawim Lay Missions Home for the Aged, the community is somehow helped in ensuring the abandoned aged individuals are properly taken care of.

Based on the results of the study, the following recommendations are hereby offered by the researchers. To Anawim Lay Missions Home for the Aged, they must make a strong connection with the community, because they have a low accessibility. In terms of security, they must build perimeter fence around the area, for them to feel totally safe from the outside and inside threat. They must continue providing more caregivers, because of the growing numbers of elderlies. Hence, additional resident doctors or nurses to monitor the health conditions of the elderlies. To Local Government Unit, they should extend help to the institution to sustain its advocacy. To the families of abandoned elderly, they must do their best to find the elderlies and to take care of them. They must also regularly visit the elderlies, for the elderlies to feel the belongingness of their own family. To the community and to the open-hearted people, they must conduct an outreach program or activity for the elderlies to have socialization with different people and to feel how special they are. To the future researchers, they should conduct more researches related to this study, because it helps the nation to have solutions regarding elderly abandonment.