Abstract: Opportunities arising from long life is naturally dependent on health as a key factor. The number of people aged 60 years or older will rise from 900 million to 2 billion between 2015 and 2050, as per total global population. In Jamaica, life expectancy (2011 data) represents 78.04 for women and 70.4 for men, coming from 74.7 and 69.5 respectively in 2005. This qualitative-type research was conducted over the period January, 2016 to December, 2017 using primary and secondary approaches. The unit of analysis was members of the elderly community who were within the age cohort of 78-104 years old. Primary and secondary approaches were taken with a view to phenomenological expressions, hence seven themes were established: Physical, Physiological, Psychological, Social, Educational, Economical and the Individual. Throughout the results of this study, these themes are articulated accordingly. It has been revealed that not everyone at the advanced stage of the elderly community experienced chronic illness. However, linkages between those with sexual and reproductive health issues and those with chronic illnesses were ascertained. Of concern too were matters regarding environmental treatment, social life, physiological, physical and psychological dealings, and their influence on the elderly respondents. Of note was that physical exercises had positively influenced self-confidence (feeling attractive), improvement in health and sexual activities. Given that ageing is the epicenter of mankind’s development, health as a factor towards ideal personal and social progress should not be ignored, as chronic illness, sexuality and way of life are inextricably linked.
Keywords: Elderly, Chronic Illness, Sexual and Reproductive Health, Jamaica.
Title: Life after Three Scores and Ten in Jamaica: A Phenomenological Analysis
Author: Dr. Tazhmoye Crawford
International Journal of Healthcare Sciences
ISSN 2348-5728 (Online)
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