Assessing Elderly Needs in Indang, Cavite: Recommendations for a Community-Based Mental Health Program

The elderly population faces a unique set of challenges that impact their overall well-being. As such, a needs analysis was conducted on an elderly community in Indang, Cavite using a focus group discussion to gather the data. The analysis revealed three primary themes: (1) social challenges, (2) psychological challenges, and (3) somatic challenges. Social challenges centered on transgenerational parenting, whereas participants experienced multiple roles such as caregiving for their grandchildren and performing household chores for the family. Psychological challenges on the other hand included persistent worry about familial problems with participants expressing concerns about their health and the support their families need as well as unexplored mental health concerns. Lastly, somatic challenges were also evident in which physical health issues and sleep disturbances further complicate their ability to manage their daily responsibilities. The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to address these multifaceted challenges in rural communities.