The Empty Nest: Unvoiced Concerns of the Elderly

The study investigated the unvoiced concerns of the elderly in reference to their empty nest. The descriptive research design was used in the study. The respondents were 150 older persons from selected urban and rural communities. The respondents were selected through the purposive sampling technique. The selection criteria were: a) 60 years old or above; b) Neither living alone with the family or relatives; and c) either head of household or dependent. The research tool was an interview guide/ schedule formulated to answer the objectives of the study. The data were analyzed using frequencies, percentages, and rank. The theory on “empty nest†is concretized by the experiences of the elderly as they voiced out their concerns related to this phase of their lives. A good number of the elderly are household heads with own sources of income. This contradicts the assumption that the elderly depends much on their children for their needs. It is ironic that the majority of the elderly provides support to their own family. Emotional insecurity is felt for having perceived that their children will only care when they are sick. Economic insecurity is felt for having incurred additional expense for regular medication and proper diet. The pressing health care needs of the elderly are founded on older age issues on the health care, financial assistance, providing for proper diet and nutrition, healthy environment, emotional counseling, physical therapy, and recreation.

 

Keywords - Elderly, Empty Nest, Pressing Needs, Problems, Challenges