“Elderly” Seniors Vs. “Youthful” Seniors: Attributions and Reshaping of Aging Expectations

Authors

Johnny Julvesano Yao Jr., Cebu Normal UniversityFollow

Abstract

People’s expectations of aging are shaped by various sources and experiences. These aging expectations subsequently influence a person’s overall health and well-being. I intended to gain a deeper understanding of the various sources by which Filipino older adults attribute and reshape negative and positive expectations regarding aging. I used a multiple case study (Creswell, 2013) and enlisted eight participants who are 60 years old and older in a large metropolitan area in the Philippines and interviewed them regarding their aging expectations. I analyzed the data using cross-case analysis for comparison of commonalities and differences in the events, activities, and processes in the selected cases. Findings show that there are various sources such as personal, interpersonal, and sociocultural factors that shape aging expectations. Furthermore, those who have positive aging expectations accept that there are physical limitations but still maintain a positive outlook compared to those having negative expectations. Programs to educate people about the differences between normal and abnormal changes in old age should be implemented to clarify aging stereotypes.

Keywords

Aging Expectations, Aging Process, Subjective Aging, Old Age Perceptions, Multiple Case Study, Cross Case Analysis

Author Bio(s)

Dr. Johnny J. Yao Jr. is a registered nurse and obtained his Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Velez College. He finished his Master in Nursing in Medical-Surgical Nursing and Doctor of Science in Gerontology Nursing at Cebu Normal University. He also earned his Doctor of Health Care Management at the University of the Visayas. His research interests include public health, health professions education, gerontology nursing, health care management, and research ethics. Dr. Yao is currently a faculty member in the College of Nursing at Cebu Normal University. Please direct correspondence to johnnyyaojr@gmail.com.

Acknowledgements

The author acknowledges receipt of financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article through a dissertation grant from the Commission on Higher Education of the Philippines.

Publication Date

8-20-2020

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.

DOI

10.46743/2160-3715/2020.4095

Recommended APA Citation

Yao, J. J. (2020). “Elderly” Seniors Vs. “Youthful” Seniors: Attributions and Reshaping of Aging Expectations. The Qualitative Report, 25(8), 3047-3066. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2020.4095