Graceful Aging: In The Eyes of A Young Nurse

In this age, generation, or whatever we can call this time, it is rare to find people who are concerned about old people. Sometimes even family, loved ones, sons and daughters of the old person care less about them. And that is a very sad truth of the world. Everybody doesn't care, until they are the ones that are there. At that point - wrinkled, cold, unhappy, unheard of, old.

When I got to know of Sister Letty G. Kuan, while we were still deciding who to feature in this blog, her dissertation (which everybody thought was her theory back then) caught my attention. It was titled "Retirement and Role Discontinuities". I have never heard of a theory focusing on old people before. I had a feeling back then that she will be our featured theorist. And when we got to the point of inviting her for interview and realized that we need to tell a truth to the whole world, I was happy to know that my gut was right.

'A Graceful Aging' opened my eyes more on the causes of what seems to be a pandemic nowadays - 'Unhappy Old Person Disease'. And in a way, prepared me for my old age as well. The theory confirmed something that I have been thinking over my adult years of life. I know I am happy, but I also know people who are not, I know the reasons as well why they are not happy, and most of the reasons are from something that has happened to them before in their lives, "Acquisition" as what the theory will call it. I have thought about it before, but never got to the point of exploring these thoughts, but now, I am happy that those thoughts have been addressed to, and confirmed as well. At the same time, I was inspired that I should dig more on what I am thinking, who knows, I can be a theorist too someday. 

The theory aside from stating the reasons of the 'disease' as well provides the specific role of the nurse in this situation. Sister Letty G. Kuan expressed that as nurses, we should be the ones to fill in or replace what had been missed by the person who doesn't have a good acquisition. We need to show our patients respect, care, attention, understanding, the things that they maybe can't find in their homes.

At some point, I can say that this theory doesn't only apply to old people, but to all patients, described only in different terms. So to prevent unhappiness of old people, we need to start young. This is where my part comes in for myself, while I am young, I need to be sure that I have good acquisition, that I will succeed in my struggles, so that in the end I can leave a legacy even if I am old, and wrinkly, but not grumpy. 

You reading this is already good acquisition in your part. It's up to you what to do with it. 

Good luck.

Let us all grow old and happy.



Article By: - Grace Mae P. Yanson

Aging is the process of growing old, and growing old passes through a lot of events. Letty Kuan’s theory of graceful aging implies how we can get a graceful life when we are growing old. Her basis of this is when a person has a very nice root of influence from their parents and the people that surrounds them they are capable in developing of having a very nice childhood.  The framework of the theory is the good acquisition and the struggle of bringing up your own legacy to others as you grow old. If you have this, this will make you equipped in times of struggles and crises as sister Letty Kuan said.

 Legacy is when someone remembers what you have taught them. It is when you share everything you know and done good deeds for them.  Aged people are very equipped to do this because they already have a lot to share and taught as base from what they have acquired and experience as they reach their age. As what Kuan said it is observed that some of aged people are demanding, sometime shows negative attitude it is because of their struggles in their past experiences and the acquisition they have acquired as they grow old. This also includes their retirement which is observed if when you are happy or contented of what you got and done after this.

For me being recognized by your contributions and accomplishments of improving oneself is a big form of appreciation and fulfillment. This Theory taught me to do what I can do for a change as my acquisition from my parents and the people that surrounds me is guiding me. As a nurse giving quality care without hesitation and with good attitude and values will prove that I have this good childhood upbringing and will leave a legacy to those people I help as I grow old.

Retirement is not an end. It doesn’t mean when you retire your role discontinues. It is a start of fruitful life even without in the service or position to gain something for yourself.

Prepared by:

EASTER JOY V. TRAVILLA, RN

In This Video:

The Theorist, Sister Letty G. Kuan, gives a message for Group I and other nurses. :)

It is very inspiring. Watch it.

Welcome to Our Blog!

Our Blog: Filipino Nurses' Perspective

Our aim is to be able to share our knowledge and opinions to others who are as interested as us in learning more about the theories of Nursing. In line with this, we named it 'Filipino Nurses' Perspective' because we are proud to be part of an internationally known race that is considered top rank in providing health care. At the same time, we featured a Filipino Theorist, Sister Letty G. Kuan, that we are so happy to meet in our quest for facts about her theory. She obliged us with a video interview that we learned a lot from. We hope that you learn with us.

Our Theorist: Sister Letty G. Kuan

While thinking who we wanted to feature for this task, we all agreed that we will be leaning towards somebody who is influential in the nursing community, somebody who showed the practice of the theory in her life, and somebody who we can learn a lot from, someone who will make us proud to be Filipinos, and to our surprise, Sister Letty G. Kuan is more than what we have asked for! She is very down-to-earth for somebody who has achieved so much in her life, she is cool with so much passion for what she does, and her life is radiating what her theory is exactly: A Graceful Aging. We are so honored to have met her and actually see her explain her theory. Learn more about her in the videos we put up for you in this blog.

Our Group: Group Eye

We got lucky with our group letter: I, or maybe with our surnames having the last letters of the alphabet as the first letters of our last names, because Group I is the last group we have in our subject. Anyway, we call ourselves the Group Eye, because aside from its exact same pronunciation to our actual group letter (I), at some point, we found ourselves seeking and searching while doing this task. We felt like we were eyes, looking towards knowledge, prying over people, events and things that increase what we already know, and correct those that we think we were right about but actually not. And to our amazement, we were happy to have laid eyes on a theorist that was thought to have a theory about 'Retirement and Role Discontinuities', which was actually not the real case. Sister Letty G. Kuan's Theory is 'A Graceful Aging' but most people don't really know that. Even if you search the entirety of the world wide web, you won't be able to find this correct information. And because of finding the truth that we sought (and filmed it), we feel like we have served the purpose of our group's name. We have seen a truth and it may not be a big deal for others, but for us, it is one of the most fulfilling things in the world. 



- Grace Mae P. Yanson

The Interview Team

Surviving Cancer

By: Dr. Reynaldo O. Joson


Ms. Letty Kuan, is a nurse.  She was my school nurse in Xavier School when I was grade V in this school, in 1960.  We met again in University of the Philippines Manila when I was already a professor in the Department of Surgery, UP College of Medicine while she was a professor at the UP College of Nursing. In 1991, I operated on her thyroid papillary carcinoma in the Philippine General Hospital.  I did a total thyroidectomy.  Postoperatively, she received thyroid hormones.  I saw her today in Manila Doctors Hospital while she was visiting one of my patients, CN.  She is now 75 years old with no clinical evidence of recurrence - 21 years in remission.  We both thank God for this long remission.

GROUP EYE

Vie Mark Venturina

Overall Leader

Grace Mae Yanson

Co-Leader/Blog Editor/Contributor

Karina Chicellyn Shiu

Co-Leader/Contributor

Nurhani Tulawie

Secretary/Video Editor

Ma. Katrina Tabuton

Secretary/Co-interviewer

Jake Johnson Sy

Lead Interviewer

Laarni Sarad

Contributor

Rhodora Mae Solis

Contributor

Michelle Angeli Uno

Interview Team

Charles Joseph Verano

Contributor

Easter Joy Travilla  

Contributor

Arlyn Tambong

Contributor

Joenna Mae Sanico

Contributor

Mariel Anne Uy

Contributor

Maria Liza Singson

Contributor

Zyena Joyce Untalasco      -        Secretary/Contributor

Selah Dove Senina              -          Contributor

Matthew Victor Villon          -       Contributor

Lucrecia "Lucy" Sanchez      -     Contributor

This Video Shows How "A Graceful Aging" Looks Like. 

K-A!:D

Video 4

In this video the following points will be discussed:
1. How can you prepare for retirement?
2. In Summary...
3. Sister Kuan rectifies what has been mistaken as her theory
4. Her next research...

Advise on how to prepare for Retirement:

Retirement can be of two things, it’s the time you look forward to or the time you hate to come. During my last trip home there was a retired Filipino CEO from New York, He said that he had been retired recently .I like the way he answered when I asked him how is he doing? He said that, Retirement is a preparation financially but more so it’s the preparation of the mind. He had acquired most during midlife but he had to prepare his mind about retirement.

Sister Letty Kuan’s advice is to acquire as much as you can during the life span and have friends of all ages, never limit your group of friends among your age group but find time for others, TIME in midlife is the hardest things to Give, in this busy life we are all occupied with so many things work, school, family.  We need to stop and identify the important things in life and find time to invest in them, find time to love and share it with your love ones. Keep yourself busy and occupied it will help sharpen your mind.

What was mistaken of her theory?

The interview was the true source of truth, it was shared by the author majestically, it was full of wisdom, knowledge, passion and love.it was like a book with full of rich ideas shared with total class and finesse.

All over media it was her dissertation in her doctorate studies that was published. Now that we were enlightened by the Author herself we can begin to share the real Theory of Sister Letty Kuan on Graceful Aging.

Her next adventure:

We can all look for to her next focus on Retirement on homosexuals, how they adapt with Aging?

How will it be when they reach retirement?

In summary

I think it is more the summary of LIFE

It begins on a Happy Childhood and in midlife, you had acquired positive acquisitions, these will all be your guiding light during the trying times and help you succeed ….. Then you will find that you had success fully entered    Graceful Aging

By Laarni Sarad

Video 3

In this video the following points will be discussed:
1. How can you apply the theory in the clinical setting?
2. Using your theory, how can nurses help people acquire a good legacy?
3. The value of time in helping people in their acquisition.
4. The critical step of nurse's self-assessment.
5. Did you experience challenges when you were making your theory?

It only takes a foot distance to vibrate the meaning of the Heart…

That is golden for a nurse, beyond compare and truly valuable; the real purpose of this study is our take home, The Application of The Theory in the Clinical Setting.

We begin to ask ourselves; how as nurses can we apply these principles, it’s the Therapeutic use of self, the golden meaning of Silence but the real showing of LOVE and Compassion. Many times people don’t need much but your presence and acknowledgement .Although there is vast medical answers to pathological questions yet this will only answer 50% to the cure, the rest comes from the support of the people around and the trust built among each other.

We should learn to invest time to all that we love and are important to us; it is the investment of self and investment of TIME that we can make others feel our love and their importance.

It caught me most when Sister Letty mentioned that it is the difficult patient that needs more attention. We may not have the strength to be with them but through prayers, perseverance and patience, we as nurses can be vessels of change, role models, a help for cure and make a difference one patient at a time. She also had given us a warning, that nurses should embark in the critical step of nurses self-assessment. It shows that you can only give what you have and love begets loves, respect begets respect. For nurses to step back and assess them and formulate the next strategy, the next plan and revitalize, she believes that because of the nurses training, knowledge, skills and support of fellow nurses we can always be a part and vessel of change.

The Challenges in making the theory

As our Author seeks knowledge and make a difference she encountered challenges and criticism along the way, it also the Theory that helped her withstand the criticism and challenges, because of positive acquisition Sister Letty did not stop seeking knowledge ad truth yet took every challenges a stepping stone in the realization of a theory that is not only meaning to nurses but realistic to everyone in all walks of life.

By

Laarni Sarad

Video 2


In this video the following points will be discussed:
1. Importance of Education in Establishing Legacy
2. Does economic status have an effect on legacy?
3. Religion and her theory.
4. What happens to people that does not have good acquisition?
5. Were there any events or situations that prompted you to come up with your theory
6. Nurses as Role Models

TRANSCRIPTION OF GRACEFUL AGING THEORY PART 2

SISTER LETTY G.KUAN

Importance of good education in establishing good legacy

A good education is the best gift you can give to your children. Education na talagang maganda din ang mga model, the teacher are not also corrupt .A choice of a good school is really important especially sa mga bata.The day you will be married, you will got family, think about when you have children, then you know you need a very good foundation, costly, never mind because it will lead you to a good legacy.

Does economic status have effect on legacy?

In making yourself a person full of graceful, as an old person, depends on how much love, cuddle, you receive as a child. If you have been wanted, you have been appreciated; poor ka nga pero maganda ang samahan.It leads you there because what you woke up as a child, yun ang dadalhin mo as an adult. People who maybe very rich pero wala namang love, wala din.

Ako, I prefer people who are really poor and make a good strive in life. Yung nag strive talaga talaga yun nagcocome out. Yan ang mga taong marunong tumingin.So regardless of your economic status, if there has been love, you will be honest person in the position you have. Hindi ka magnanakaw, hindi mandaraya, honesty talaga. Kahit mayaman ka pa kung hindi ka honest, kung hindi ka maligaya, ano. Marami kang problema, marami kang kwarta hindi mo naman alam saan galing yun.

Religion and her theory

Regardless of religion, basta spiritually prepared ka; it cannot make you cruel it cannot make you selfish. You share.

What happen to people who did not have good acquisition?

Yan, ang maging delinquent to us, challenges to the nurse, it is now a way of putting back what they miss. Tayo ngayon ang magrereplace. So the nurse, ang patient wala naman silang acquisition. Let them acquire what they should have acquired .It is the role now of the nurse and that is called therapeutic self. Spiritual self all those combine. Ikaw mismo, your very own self. Parang you’re turning back the hassle time. What they miss, parang nakita nila sa iyo. Pupunuin mo yung mga bakante, mga blanks. It is imposing on the nurse, malaking trabaho sa nurse

A nurse must have a very big heart, very big ears to listen and a very small mouth para di ka magdaldal. It’s the being of a nurse. Pero mahirap, we are not trained. Kulang tayo. Kasi we are academically trained. But the real empathy, passionate that’s what our Lord was saying when he was apostolate. Use empathy, compassion. When he was saying use empathy or passion. People who are sick, titingin lang, pero wala naming igagamot pero you look at the person. Mafeel mo meron .Kaya when you are talking in audience, when you are giving a talk the speaker look at pero past lang ang eyes. Wala ka namang makukuha. Pero person whose looking at you, parang may communication, naiintidihan mo, mafeel mo ang kanyang deep messages is all about. Iba no iba.

Ang aking application ng theory naaacquire nya talaga. Kasi yung walang acquisition, we are the one who will fill the gaps. Makikita nila sa atin. Tayo ang magbibigay. You’ve got my point.

Di ba maganda. Kung lahat ganyan. Walang mag aaway, walang magbabatuhan, walang mandaraya.Kasi ang person who is fully equipped of the heart, won’t hoard things. You share. Hindi ka madamot. You earned, because you work hard, because you have been trained, magaling kang magtrabaho. Gratitude for your parent, to the people. Hindi ka madamot. Merong iba makatrabaho, pagkakataon ko na ito. People hoarding, corrupting. I would like more on education, because education the best talaga.

It will form your mind; it will will give you acquisition as good teachers. Because you learn a lot more. You, yourself had been acquire good deeds, you will also share. Automatic yan. Kahit na ilang sapatos mo limang dosena, gusto pang dagdagan .Merong old people gusto nila old duster, old lahat. Itapon mo, ayaw nila kasi yun ang security.The security of what had not been acquired.

Were there any event or situations that prompted you to come up with your theory?

Yes, plenty, I found in students, I had been clinical instructor for 30 years. When we go the wards there are patients so difficult to deal with. There are also teachers who are terror, there are supervisors are very strict. And I thought about them, because of that   .There are people who are every happy, when they hurt you, when they scold you because of what they have not acquired. The incidents of my patients, my own students my own colleagues.  I can see the difference. There must be reason why there are acting like that, anxiety, fears, and madaling magalit doubting.

It starts from the courtship of the parent, bearing of the child, family, the struggles they have. Together it leads to a union of marriage. That’s the legacy. So incidence in my life, what I see in the wards, students, classrooms, make me understand the different kinds of people. People who fight, yun ang mga people na walang good acquisition, kaya may corruption, because walang kwarta noon kaya naghohoard.There is no acquisition of moral values.

Nurses as a role model?

It implies to teach students by setting our example .Sometimes you don’t have to talk, the way we do, the way we act, self model .Pero nakikita nila.

Transcripted by Rhodora Mae Solis