     |
 |
| Latest News
A New Vision Of Aging That Can Help You Live Longer
We are growing older, each and every one of us here. And there can be no denial of this irrefutable and ever-present fact, whatever our beliefs and thoughts about life. Although the aging process is experienced across nations and countries, among the peoples throughout the world, how the different respective cultures respond to this reality must surely vary widely. The crux of this matter is all about mindset. For many of us in the industrialized world today, our aging journey generally is a source of anxiety and grief. Our perception of the elderly population is for the most part, an increasingly senile, frail, and unhappy segment of people. We therefore fear aging. Instead of looking forward to our golden years, we dread each passing birthday. Instead of a vision of our later years as a time of growth, harvest, and maturity, we entertain the fear of the gradual deterioration of our health which will so greatly impair our lives that to live a long life might be more of a curse than a blessing. When we think of being old, our images are often invariably one of decrepitude and despair. It seems more realistic to imagine ourselves languishing in nursing homes than to picture ourselves swimming, gardening, laughing with loved ones, and delighting in grand children and nature. To have negative stereotypes about aging is insidious. Negative images not only lead to compromised health and shortened lives, but are also devastating in the present. People with negative perceptions of aging are more likely to consider their lives to be worthless, empty and hopeless while those with more positive perceptions of aging were more likely to view their lives as fulfilling and hopeful. It is extremely important for us today to replace the prevailing negative mindset of aging with a new vision - one which grasps the possibility of living all the days of our lives with exuberance and a passion for life. Today, there are few things of greater consequences than to bring our lives into alignment with our true potential for health and our dreams for a better tomorrow. The key to it is to do the best you can with what you have got. Perhaps one may start with simply taking daily walks or brisk walking, or taking an activity of interest like line-dancing class and so on. But more importantly, if we can arouse in ourselves an empathy and concern for the general well-being of older people in our midst, and to get involved in the helping process, we can derive a sense of satisfaction and even fulfillment. I personally feel very positive and good about having been a part of that. In conclusion, I would like to ask all those working with the elderly, as food for thought, to carefully consider the following questions below, which hopefully, can help to shape the future policies that affect our older people and advocate for change. Have the aging policies of the past two decades really benefitted the elders? Can the perennial problems that go with aging in Singapore be alleviated? If yes, what would it take to address them? On behalf of all my Council Members at the Society, my sincere thanks and appreciation to various ministries and organisations including the Ministry of Community Development Youth and Sports, Health Promotion Board, Council for 3rd Age, Centre for Seniors, Gerontological Research Branch NUS, Pschological Medicine Department NUHS, National Library Board, Lee Foundation, Presbyterian Community Services and everyone of you here for the warm support you have given us this past year. We do look forward to your continued partnership and support in working together so as to achieve… a gracious aging society. Laurence Wee |
