Ageism awareness, challenges and coping strategies of the older workers in the workplace: Inputs to a geriatric counseling, psychoeducation, and resiliency program

Abstract

This convergent mixed method study aimed to determine the challenges and coping strategies of older workers in the workplace as bases for the inputs to a Geriatric Counseling Psychoeducation, and Resiliency Program. The data were gathered from 200 participants with ages ranging from 50 years old and above, mostly women working in higher education institutions. Descriptive statistics utilized were frequency counts, percentages and ranks and the Cramer's V for inferential statistics. Results showed that the participant's topmost challenges are interpersonal in nature. This is mainly due to the age/generation gap, as they have experienced some degree of difficulty in dealing with some co-workers and or direct supervisors. Also, the physical/cognitive challenges, which include but are not limited to physical weariness (easily get tired), menopausal syndrome, andropause syndrome, hypertension, mental lapses (forgetfulness), and the strong-like feelings of fear, uncertainty, death and dying. Likewise, identified were the economic/financial challenges in order to sustain their daily needs and higher medical expenses. Yet, in spite of the challenges the participants faced, they believe that they still have the capability to perform their assigned tasks and responsibilities in the workplace. Further, the study revealed that a higher proportion of participants utilized the problem- focused coping strategies as well as the emotion-focused coping strategies in dealing with the challenges they have experienced in the workplace. In addition, they regarded their social support system as an important factor in their coping. The different approaches utilized in overcoming their challenges were, by diverting and focusing their attention to interesting activities such as social engagement, mindfulness, and spiritual connection. Finally, it was noted that there was only a weak association between the challenges of older workers in the workplace and their coping strategies. A Geriatric Counseling, Psychoeducation, and Resiliency Program was prepared as an output of the study.