<p style="text-align: justify;">Objectives: 1) To describe the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of working and retired employees aged 55 years and older; 2) To determine the proportion with visual and hearing impairments in participants with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM); and 3) To determine the association between quality of life in participants with T2DM and visual and hearing impairments.p><p style="text-align: justify;">Methods: The study utilized a cross-sectional study design - data derived from the findings of the UP Wellness Initiative for Seniors and Elders (UPWISE) Program. The participants were working and retired university employees age 55 years and above residing in urban and rural-urban (rurban) communities. Stratified random sampling was utilized according to working status and sex. Visual and hearing impairments, and the presence of T2DM were assessed using a multidisciplinary diagnostic process, the comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA).p><p style="text-align: justify;">Results: A total of 301 participants agreed to participate and completed the CGA. The mean age of the participants was 64.8 (±6.3), and 51.2% belonged to the young-old subgroup. There was an almost equal proportion of males and females while there were more working (53.8%) than the retired (46.2%). There were 17.6% of participants with T2DM and of them, 47.2% with visual impairment (VI) alone, 7.5% hearing impairment (HI) alone, and 37.7% with dual sensory impairments (DSI). Good quality of life was reported by 100% of T2DM participants with HI, 80% with VI, and 72.3% with DSI. There was no significant association between quality of life and vision and hearing impairments. On the other hand, a significant association was identified between T2DM and DSI (p-value, 0.001).p><p style="text-align: justify;">Conclusion: T2DM and vision and hearing impairments are prevalent among the two academic communities. Visual impairment was more common than hearing impairment. Participants diagnosed with T2DM and having a visual, hearing, or dual sensory impairments reported good quality of life.p><p style="text-align: justify;">Key Words: sensory, geriatric assessments, retired, employees, quality of life, diabetes mellitusp>
Geriatric Assessment ; Occupational Groups ; Quality of Life ; Diabetes Mellitus

Background and Objectives: The comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) is a multidimensional and multidisciplinary evaluation and management process to identify and address the needs of an older person (OP). However, there are several challenges faced in its implementation which limit its full potential and utility to promote healthy aging. This paper aimed to describe the issues and challenges of those involved in the conduct of the traditional paper-based CGA, specifically older persons and the research and health facility-based assessors. Methods: This is a descriptive convergent parallel mixed-methods study utilizing both quantitative and qualitative data from the UP Manila Wellness Initiative for Seniors and Elders research program. Mixed methods of data collection were conducted online, namely survey and focus group discussions (FGD). Purposively recruited OPs aged 60 years and above who previously underwent CGA served as online survey respondents. Similarly, purposively recruited healthcare professionals (HCP) who conduct research-based and facility-based CGA participated in the FGDs. STATA and NVivo PRO Plus were used to analyze the quantitative and qualitative data, respectively. Descriptive statistics were used namely frequencies, percentages, mean, standard deviation, and median. Guided by the interpretivist paradigm, thematic analysis was conducted. Triangulation of results was done by the multidisciplinary team. Results: A total of 30 OPs with mean age of 67.1 years (SD±5.7) responded to the online survey. A total of 10 healthcare professionals, mostly geriatricians, participated in two separate FGDs. : Most (83%) liked the comprehesiveness of the CGA. However, OPs had difficulties with the following: follow-ups (43%), sensitive questions (40%), and recall (23%). Thirty percent (30%) rated the CGA as long to too long. HCP assessors’ challenges were related to the participants/patients, assessors, and operational factors. Participant/ patient-related factors include health conditions, follow-up issues, language, sensory impairment, and familiarity with the tools. Assessors-related factors include competency, missing information, illegible handwriting, and asking sensitive questions. Operations-related factors include the length of the questionnaire and process, physical set up, fragmented system, data storage and protection, and inadequate human resource. Conclusion The common issues and challenges identified by the older persons and healthcare professional assessors in the conduct of paper-based CGA include the length of the CGA, sensitive questions, and follow-up issues. Addressing these issues and challenges is necessary to maximize the utility of the comprehensive geriatric assessment in promoting healthy aging. With the advent of technology, digitizing the paper-based CGA is a promising approach to address these challenges.
geriatric assessment ; Philippines

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to describe the demographic profile and determine the proportion and Active Aging health determinants of staff, faculty, and retired employees who are 55 years of age and older. METHODS: Mixed qualitative and quantitative methods, community-based, and participatory. Participants were working and retired faculty and staff, age 55 years and over, living within an urban campus of a University. The University Ethics Review Board approved the protocol. Focus group discussions (FGDs) led to the development of a pretested survey instrument. Additional health data were obtained using a validated Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) tool. Trained and certified health professionals conducted the CGA. A Senior Geriatrician adjudicated the final diagnoses. Progress reports and validation workshops were conducted with study participants, content experts, and stakeholders. CSPRo, SPSS, and STATA were used to generate and analyze disaggregated data. RESULTS: Two hundred thirty-one (n=231) agreed to participate. The matched dataset was used in data analysis, representing a total of n=192 completed both surveys and CGA interview. Of the top 10 Geriatrician diagnoses, the highest-ranking non-communicable disease was hypertension and the top sensory diagnosis was presbyopia. Three of the self-assessed conditions were vision-related. They had better oral health than the recent national report. Most were highly independent and functional. The majority rated their QOL as good. Most had access to health insurance and a University Health Service. CONCLUSION Non-communicable diseases and visual disorders were the most common medical problems among working and retired university workers 55 years and older, living within the campus. To reduce NCDs, maintain functional independence and achieve a better quality of life especially among the retired, programs for older persons are recommended. These include access to medication, improved health financing, and senior wellness programs during and after employment. The results of the study will help understand and create a Framework for Active Aging that is relevant to this academic community.

Objectives: This study aims to describe the sociodemographic and clinical profile of working and retired staff and faculty age 55 years and older in an academic community living in Laguna, Philippines; to determine the proportion of participants with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM); and to describe the nutritional and frailty status of working and retired participants with T2DM. Methods: The study utilized a cross-sectional study design. The participants are current employees and retired faculty and staff of an academic community living in Bay and Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines. Stratified random sampling according to working status and gender was utilized. Participants with T2DM were determined and assessed based on their nutritional and frailty status using the comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA), laboratory analysis, and mini nutritional assessment (MNA). Descriptive statistics were calculated for all continuous and categorical variables measured. Results: A total of 109 participants agreed to participate and completed the CGA, with 93.6% undergone blood extraction for laboratory analysis. The mean age of the participants was 63.7 (±5.8) and 57.8% belonged to the young-old subgroup. There were more working (60.6%) than the retired (39.4%) and more females (61.5%) than males (38.5%). There was a low level of malnutrition (0.9%) in this cohort. However, many had abdominal obesity and elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Low vitamin D was prevalent. Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus was present among 14.7% of participants of which 93.8% were pre-frail and 6.3% were at risk for malnutrition. Conclusion Although malnutrition and frailty were not prevalent among those with T2DM in this cohort, more participants were pre-frail and at risk for malnutrition. There are many opportunities to reduce the risk of malnutrition and frailty in the community. Early screening and interventions are recommended to improve the health and wellbeing of the working and retired participants.
Aged ; Frailty

Background and Objectives With the global population aging, there is an emerging need for access to quality longterm care (LTC) services. Many countries have developed LTC systems while others are at the infancy stage. This paper aimed to provide an overview of the country’s readiness for LTC based on the perspectives of relevant stakeholders. Specifically, it described the roles, initiatives, and challenges of relevant organizations and community leaders for LTC provision. It also described the older persons (OPs) and carers’ perspectives towards LTC including their awareness, capacity, and preferences.
Home Care Services ; Long-Term Care ; Nursing Homes ; Philippines

<p style="text-align: justify;" data-mce-style="text-align: justify;">The Philippines has an increasingly aging population thereby increasing the demand for healthcare and support from families. Studies showed that the family is the main caregiver of elderly parents/adults as dictated by the Filipino culture of filial piety and respectful behavior towards older people. However, this caring culture is now slowly declining, and Filipino older adults also experience abuse, exploitation, and other forms of neglect from their families. This special article described that the declining caring culture was due to deteriorating family values and societal influences brought about by modernization. This paper also highlights the crucial role of the family and the community in inculcating the preservation of this valued caring Filipino culture, especially among the youth. In cases where senior citizens are being abused and neglected by their families, the state steps in to safeguard the welfare and protection of Filipino senior citizens. Enacted and promulgated laws ensure social justice and protection of human dignity among Filipino older adults as well as the provision of socioeconomic and health needs. In conclusion, the preservation of a caring culture through educating the youth coupled with the implementation of enacted and promulgated laws of the country ensures the quality of aging life among Filipino older adults.
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Aged ; Elderly