WHILE I agree with the Ministry of Community Development, Youth
and Sports that there is a broad base of active agers ("Many ways
to make active ageing golden"; Aug 26), more can be done to engage
the elderly.
People born in the 1930s and 1940s went through life in a very
different Singapore. Retirement planning was not a priority then
and very few were adequately prepared when it came time for them to
retire. Longer lifespans, the rising cost of living, poor health
and little savings pose challenges to this cohort of elderly
Singaporeans.
As a senior, I am not surprised that only 5.5 per cent of the
elderly here take part in clubs or group activities ("Not-so-golden
years for the elderly in Singapore"; Aug 23). The urge to
participate in mass line dancing and singing is simply not in the
DNA of some elderly folk.
Perhaps they are more attuned to leisure activities close to
their hearts and they are happy with the simple pleasures in life.
Can society help them to fulfil their wishes with more tangible
measures?
The Government should consider initiatives to enhance active
ageing, perhaps by raising subsidies for health-care services and
introducing free public transport for those aged above 70.
Cumbersome restrictions on bus rides and movie tickets should also
be removed.
There are many alternatives to structured group activities for
seniors. They can derive joy from simple things like meeting
friends for a meal at a hawker centre, watching movies, going to
the library, taking short trips and cruises or simply strolling in
the park with loved ones.
Paul Chan
Paul Chan = (in Cantonese) 破產
just a joke
anyway, for people born in the 1930s and 1940s, why wasn't
retirement planning a priority?
I do agree line dance and singing is a current fad. it is
simply not in the DNA of some elderly folk. even in later
generations too, they have not become something so common.
