LETTY KUAN
“RETIREMENT AND ROLE
DISCONTINUITIES”
REPORTER:
ALMAN RUSSELL D. CAPOR
BSN 1
ROGERS
SISTER LETTY KUAN
“RETIREMENT AND ROLE DISCONTINUITIES”
BACKGROUND OF SISTER LETTY KUAN
• Born on November 19, 1936 in Katipunan-Dipolog Zamboanga Del Norte
• Master Degree in Nursing and Guidance and Counseling
• She also holds a Doctoral Degree in Education
• She is now a Professor Emeritus, a title awarded only to a few who met the strict criteria
• Has a clinic Fellowship and Specialization in Neuropsychology in University of Paris France
• As a former member of the Board of Nursing, her legacy to the Nursing Community is
without a doubt, indisputable.
BACKGROUND OF SISTER LETTY KUAN
• She authored several books giving her insights in the areas of Gerontology, Care of Older Persons,
and Bioethics and Essence of Caring
Her books:
• Concepts of Illness and Healthcare Interventions in an Urban Community
by: Letty Kuan, Quezon City 1975
• Understanding the Filipino Elderly: a textbook for nurses and related health professionals
by: Letty Kuan, Dipolog City: Jesus G Kuan Foundation, 1993
• Essence of Caring
by: Letty Kuan, National Teacher Training Center for the Health Profession, University of Philippines
Manila Learning Resources Unit, 1993
BACKGROUND OF SISTER LETTY KUAN
• Pag-aaruga sa mga Taong May Edad na
by: Letty Kuan, Quezon City: UP-KAT, 1998
• Bioethics in Nursing
by: Letty Kuan, Manila: Educational Pub. House, 2006
ABOUT HER THEORY
RETIREMENT AND ROLE DISCONTINUITIES
Background
Retirement – is an inevitable change in one’s life, it is evident in the increasing statistics
of aging population accompanied by related disabilities and increased dependence.
Role Discontinuities - it is of primary importance to prepare early life by cultivating
other role of options at age 50-60 in order to have a rewarding retirement period even
amidst the presence of role discontinuities experienced by this age group
BASIC ASSUMPTIONS AND CONCEPTS OF THE
THEORY
• Physiological Age - is the endurance of cells and tissues to withstand the wear-to-tear
phenomenon of the human body.
• Change of life - is the period between near retirement and post retirement years
• Role - it is also the set shared expectations from the retirees socialization experiences and
the values internalized while preparing for the position as well as the adaptations to the
expectations socially defined for the position itself.
• Retiree- is an individual who has left the position occupied for the past years of productive
life due to he or she has reached the prescribed retirement or has completed the required
years of service
BASIC ASSUMPTIONS AND CONCEPTS OF THE
THEORY
• Role discontinuity – is the interruption in the line of status enjoyed or performed
the interruption may be brought about by an accident, emergency, and change of position
and retirement
• Coping Approaches – refer to the interventions or measures applied to solve a
problematic situation or state in order to restore or maintain equilibrium and normal
functioning
DETERMINANTS OF POSITIVE PERCEPTIONS IN
RETIREMENT AND POSITIVE REACTIONS TOWARD ROLE
DISCONTINUITIES
• Health Status – refers to physiological and mental state of the respondent, classified as
sickly or healthy
• Income – refers to the financial affluence of the respondent which can be classified as poor,
moderate, or rich
• Family Constellation – means the type of family composition described either close knit or
extended family where three more generations of family members live under one roof
• Work Status – goes hand in hand with economic security that generates decent compensation
• Self Preparation – which are said to be both therapeutic and recreational in essence pays its
worth in old age
DETERMINANTS OF POSITIVE PERCEPTIONS IN RETIREMENT
AND POSITIVE REACTIONS TOWARD ROLE DISCONTINUITIES
• To Cope with the changes brought by retirement – one must cultivate interest in
recreational activities to channel feelings of depression or isolation and facing realities through
confrontation with some issues
• To perceive retirement positively – it requires early socialization of the various roles
we take in life.
• Government Agency – to construct holistic pre-retirement preparation program which will
take care of the retirees finances, psychological, emotional, and social needs
• Retirement – should be recognized as the fulfillment of every individual’s birthright and must
be lived meaningfully
SUMMARY OF THE THEORY
Aging is pretty much feared by most people. It is something that is not well received and
may in fact pose negative health outcomes to patients. Letty Kuan’s focuses on the key
elements needed to prevent negative adaptation to retiring and aging using both
philosophical and practical determinants so that everyone can relate. Kuan’s theory can very
much improve the quality of life of aging people. It gives healthcare professionals tried and
tested tools which were not available in the past period. It gives people to preview of what
to expect in the future and what is needed to prepared for this happening. There is also a
great sense of security and comfort knowing what to expect in the future as one of the worst
fears of all time is the fear of the unknown.
“I have grown and sown and I can reap the reward and
blessing of a life lived in joy and love, for I too have
made others grow”
-Letty Kuan-
