KUAN'S THEORY

LETTY KUAN'S

RETIREMENT AND ROLE DISCONTINUITY

start

index

5. Major Assumptions of the Theory

1. Theorist Background

2. Major Concepts and Definition

6. Theoretical Assertion

7. Acceptance by the Nursing Community

3. Basic Assumption and Concepts

8. Analysis

4. Determinants of Positive Perceptions in Retirement and Positive Reactions Toward Role Discontinuities

9. Strength and Weaknesses

She authored several books giving her insights in the areas of Gerontology, Care of Older Persons and Bioethics and Essence of Caring.

• Concepts of illness and health care intervention in an urban community (1975)
• Understanding the Filipino elderly: a textbook for nurses and related health professional (1993)
• Essence of Caring (1993)
• Pag-aaruga Sa Mga Taong May Edad Na (1998)
• Bioethics in Nursing (2006)

DR. LETTY G. KUAN

• Born on November 19, 1936 in Katipunan-Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte
• Master degree in Nursing and Guidance and Counseling.
• Holds a Doctoral degree in Education.
• Has a vast contribution to the University of the Philippines College of Nursing Faculty and Academic achievements
• Professor Emeritus: a title awarded only to a few who met the strict criteria.

I have grown and sown and now I can reap the reward and blessing of a life lived in joy and love, for I too have made others grow.

DR. LETTY G. KUAN

major concepts and definition

RETIREMENT - an inevitable change in one’s life. It is evident in the increasing statistics of aging population accompanied by related disabilities and increased dependence.

BASIC ASSUMPTIONS AND CONCEPTS

PHYSIOLOGICAL AGE - is the endurance of cells and tissues to withstand the wear-and-tear phenomenon of the human body. ROLE - shared expectations focused upon a particular position.

CHANGE OF LIFE - he period between near retirement and post-retirement years. RETIREE - is an individual who has left the position occupied for the past years of productive life because he/she has reached the prescribed retirement age or has completed the required years of service.

ROLE DISCONTINUITY - the interruption in the line of status enjoyed or performed. COPING APPROACH - Refer to the interventions or measures applied to solve a problematic situation or state in order to restore or maintain equilibrium and normal functioning

Work Status - status of an individual according to his/her work. Family Constellation - family composition described either close knit or extended family where three or more generations of family members live under one roof; or distanced family, whose members live in separate dwelling units; or nuclear type of family where only husband, wife and children live together Self-preparation - preparing of self to the possible outcomes in life

DETERMINANTS OF POSITIVE PERCEPTIONS IN RETIREMENT AND POSITIVE REACTIONS TOWARD ROLE DISCONTINUITIES

Health Status - refer to physiological and mental state of the respondents, classified as either sickly or healthy. Income - refers to the financial affluence of the respondent which can be classified as poor, moderate, or rich

major assumptions of the theory

theoreticalassertion

CONCEPT OF ACQUISITION

Graceful aging is dependent on positive childhood acquisions.

assertions

PERSONHEALTH NURSING ENVIRONMENT

HEALTHY GENETIC BACKGROUND

ACCEPTANCE BY THE NURSING COMMUNITY

PRACTICE

EDUCATION

RESEARCH

ANALYSIS

CLARITY

SIMPLICITY

GENERALITY

LIMITATION

USEFULLNESS

• The theory is useful in geriatric nursing where nurses can derive a plan of care to help the patient to have ease of movement through a transitional process • If individuals have a better understanding of the retirement process and their new role, they will prepare and adjust better.

strength

• The theory can be applied not only for the population undergoing retirement process, but also for the population that is undergoing life transitions. • The theory is easy to understand, wherein most people can relate to the effects of role change.

WEAKNESS

• The theory focuses too much on the positive determinants. Retirement adjustment is clearly a multidimensional process but the theory only used a single indicator which is the positive determinants to retirement.

REFLECTION

It is also important that retirement and old age should be recognized as the fulfillment of each person's birthright, and must live meaningfully. It is their right to have their individual needs recognized and addressed comprehensively. Kuan's theory will undoubtedly improve the quality of life of elderly individuals because it focuses on the adaptations that may occur when their lifestyles are drastically altered.

As a nursing student, I will support Letty Kuan's idea because she emphasizes the significance of planning for retirement early in life by fostering various career options. It also has a good impact on the quality of life of the elderly. Kuan's theory backs up the notions that nursing should encourage completeness, adaptation, patients' self-discovery and insight, and patients' empowerment. It also demonstrates that when a patient enters the retirement stage, there are challenges and needs that a nurse should be aware of. "Retirement and Role Discontinuity," by Kuan, offers more than just a picture of ideal nursing care for the elderly. On a bigger scale, it reminds us that retirees once contributed to the economy that keeps us alive, no matter how unsteady it is now.

REFLECTION

The majority of individuals despise aging. It is a controversial topic that could have serious health consequences for patients. Letty Kuan's theory focuses on the main aspects needed to avoid bad adaptation to retirement aging, utilizing both philosophical and practical criteria to make it accessible to anyone. Kuan's theory has the potential to significantly improve the quality of life of the elderly. It provides healthcare providers with tried and true tools that were previously unavailable. It gives people a sneak peek into what they might expect in the future and what they need to do to prepare for it. Knowing what to expect in the future also provides a sense of security and comfort, as one of the worst anxieties of all time is the dread of unknown.

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