The Concept of Spirituality Among a Selected Group of Old Adults in the Philippines

Abstract

This study focused on the spirituality of old adults residing in Villa Carolina Subdivision 1 Tunasan, Muntinlupa. It aimed at defining and exploring the concept and existence of spirituality among old-aged adults in the Philippines through the lives of the respondents of this study. It also aimed at the benefits it entails to the individual possessing it. Moreover, it determined the relationship of spirituality with religion, which in the Philippines is a relevant issue due to the reason that this country is considered a Christian nation. A total of twenty (20) respondents participated in this study. All of the respondents were sixty-five (65) years old and above. The study made use of interview as its primary tool for data gathering. The interview consisted of fifteen (15) open-ended questions specifically tailored to meet the aims of this study. The data collected from the study were subjected to a qualitative method of analysis. The varied answers obtained from the interview were compared with each other to establish similarities and differences. Similar answers were then analyzed to produce a generalization on a certain theme in the study of spirituality. The results were also compared with the results of other foreign studies regarding spirituality to validate or reject their conclusions and to find out whether their Western findings applied to the Philippine setting. The results revealed that old adults defined spirituality as the belief and relationship with God that ultimately affects one’s life. Though there were other definitions that arose, this definition of spirituality was the most prominent. It was different from the findings of Western researches where the most pervasive meaning of spirituality was focused on the subjective feelings of enlightenment or self-actualization. Spirituality was also tightly interwoven with religion. Old adults viewed religion as the promoter of their spirituality. It enhanced the individual’s knowledge and experience with God that further strengthened his or her belief in Him. Old adults associated religion with church. The sermons, activities and fellowship with other believers inside the church widened the individual’s concept of spirituality and taught him or her how to grow in his or her relationship with God. The results further revealed that spirituality answered the unique set of needs of an old adult. It addressed the needs of an old adult such as comfort during loss, emotional preparation over one’s death, outlook in life and assurance over the many necessities in life. Spirituality provided a strong refuge for the old adult and it gave him or her strong support to rely on - God. Moreover, the results coincided with the findings of Western researches regarding spirituality. The needs that old adults face and how spirituality addresses them matched the ones that Western studies enumerated regarding the benefits of spirituality. The results of this study proved that spirituality played a very significant role in the life of an old adult. It is a human aspect that cannot be ignored especially during old age and is a relevant issue worth studying and giving attention to. It is recommended that programs, which promote spirituality, should be developed by government or non-govemment organizations to help old adults in developing their spirituality. Health care-givers should also be trained in the aspect of spirituality in order to provide better aid to their clients.