GERIATRIC CARE MODEL FOR INDIGENT FILIPINO ELDERLY
The world population is in the midst of a longevity revolution, wherein society is currently facing a global trend where the fertility rate is declining while life expectancies are rising. However, this longevity does not mean a better quality of life, instead, it presents other challenges. As people age, they are more likely to have various health problems that cause a strain on insurance and pension systems, as well as other health and social-related support models for the elderly. This strain is even more severe in developing countries like the Philippines due to the country’s poor living conditions that hinder securing proper social protection and health care services. Therefore, a dedicated health model is needed to provide better services for the elderly. This study conducted questionnaires and personal interviews with indigent elderlies identified from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino survey done by the local government of Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines. Results showed a significant policy implementation gap in what the current laws provide and deliver. The proposed model takes into consideration the internal and external factors affecting elderly health. It recognizes that policies are a set of interrelated decisions in which the identification and allocation of goods, services, and resources should be produced according to demand and is to be implemented with given regulations. Strategies such as proactive monitoring are to be performed by the community in cooperation with local government services, where the use of specific care protocols for evaluating and managing common geriatric conditions of the elderly are to be implemented.
Geriatrics, Health care, Elderly, Public Health, Indigent Filipinos