TOWARDS A HEALTHY AND PRODUCTIVE AGING A Survey on the Elder's Perception on Health Services Provided by the Balanga City Federation of Senior Citizens and the Local Government of Balanga City, Bataan

Abstract

With the aging population demographically sweeping the earth, the world is challenged in providing a more active and quality aging for the elderly. People from different countries have survived their own forces of mortality and are now bound to live a longer life span. Though the rate of aging varies greatly among regions and countries, the world's elderly population will undergo an unprecedented increase. And with such increase, social services must improve and should be more encompassing. Health is an issue related to aging. As one ages, his or her health deteriorates. In a modernized world with a large elderly population, one major challenge is to provide effective health care and assistance fora more active, participative, lively, and productive aging. The elderly of Balanga City has two providers of health services and other assistance. One is local government and the other is the Balanga City Federation of Senior Citizens. Both providers give financial assistance to the elderly most especially on their hospitalization and medical needs. They also grant financial assistance in cases of burials and funerals. Because the elderly of Balanga City are generally dependents of their household heads, most do not have a regular source of income. Family dependence is quite high and they see themselves as financially deprived. This is the paramount reason why majority of elders patronize the health services and assistance given by both providers.