WORKING BEYOND 80: THE MEANING OF WORK TO AN OCTOGENARIAN IN THE WORKFORCE

Abstract

WORKING BEYOND 80: THE MEANING OF WORK TO AN OCTOGENARIAN IN THE WORKFORCE Ma. Mayla Imelda M. Lapa1 , Laurence L. Garcia1 , Endrex P. Nemenzo2* 1. College of Nursing, Cebu Normal University, Osmeña Boulevard, Cebu 6000, Phillipines 2. Center for Research and Development, Cebu Normal University, Osmeña Boulevard, Cebu 6000, Phillipines *E-mail: nemenzoe@cnu.edu.ph Abstract There is an increasing share of people aged 50 years and over in the labor market structure and the rapid aging of the global workforce that supports the latter claim but with a little tank of information on qualitative research describing the experiences of a working octogenarian. An octogenarian is a person who is between 80 and 89 years old. This study aimed to investigate the experiences of a working octogenarian in her fieldwork through a qualitative case study analysis. From the interview, the following three themes were revealed: (a) Work as a legacy, (b) Work as an advocacy, and (c) Work as an opportunity. In the first theme, the participant described that she had a laden path and a mission. These had been sustained along with the desire to serve and make a difference. In work as advocacy, she presented the vision to make the lives of the elderly better by making the environment compatible with her aspiration extending beyond the confines of her organization. Considering every work that she took part in as an opportunity to explore and further her vision was the very core of the theme “work as an opportunity.” Working beyond 80 years old becomes possible when one dedicates the undertakings in the fulfillment of the individual’s vision and mission. Keywords: aging, gerontology, labor, octogenarian, workforce