THE RESILIENCE OF THE SELECTED ELDERLY SUFFERING FROM CHRONIC DISEASE LIVING IN SELECTED MUNICIPALITIES IN DISTRICT IV (NUEVA ECIJA)

Abstract

Chronic diseases are among the primary causes of death worldwide, particularly among the elderly population. Factors such as resilience, acceptance, and social connection can significantly improve quality of life and may reduce mortality rates by up to 6%. In this study, the researchers aimed to determine the ways in which elderly individuals suffering from chronic diseases cope with their condition and demonstrate resilience in their daily lives. This study utilized a phenomenological research design to identify the resilience of elderly individuals suffering from chronic diseases who are living in selected municipalities in District IV, Nueva Ecija. A total of fifteen (15) participants were included in the study. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews supported by audio recordings. The collected data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings revealed that the majority of the participants were female, aged between 71 and 75 years old, with diabetes identified as the most common chronic illness. Most participants had been living with their condition for 0 to 10 years. The study also found that participants experienced several changes after being diagnosed with a chronic disease, including physical changes, healthier lifestyle choices, enhanced spirituality, and improved family relationships. Furthermore, the results showed that participants demonstrated resilience through acceptance of life with a chronic illness, financial capability, active participation in physical activities, understanding of their condition, effectiveness of prescribed medications, strong social support, and access to government-issued benefits for senior citizens. The findings indicate that senior citizens are able to demonstrate resilience despite living with chronic diseases. The study suggests that maintaining acceptance and understanding of one’s chronic condition plays a significant role in enhancing resilience. Overall, this research may help elderly individuals better understand how resilience influences their ability to cope with chronic illness and improve their quality of life.