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We hear it so often – ageing with dignity. What does it really mean? As our population ages, we come across this phrase every so often in the media, at conferences on healthcare and in advertisements promoting products for older persons.   Let me share what I have found out from my conversations with the elderly. […]

I have always been interested in community initiatives, particularly those that contribute to the well-being of senior citizens and the elderly. However, of late, my focus has broadened to include the younger generations as well. Instead of focusing on the differences between generations and trying to bridge the divide, why not look at what each

Unless they have wealth, position or influence, older people often become persona non grata when they retire. They are seen but not heard. On board crowded buses and trains, they are not even seen! Few commuters would give up their seats for senior citizens despite repeated announcements on the train to do so. They would

Ask young people in their 20s what they think of old people. You can bet they will come up with a long list of adjectives, mostly negative. “Cranky, senile, grouchy, grumpy, loud, naggy, long-winded, stubborn, bossy, irritating, preachy, argumentative …” – you get the picture. Of course, not all old people are painted this way.

According to data from the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2025, about 85.3% of our senior citizens are not ageing healthily. Only 14.7% meet the criteria for healthy ageing. This is not surprising. We have seen evidence of this trend around us. The warning bell has rung over and over again, in report after report,

My mother’s generation grew up in the World War Two era when women had no voice, no official role to play in society. They were the family nurturer and caregiver, roles thrust upon them which they accepted without complaint or protest. Being meek and submissive were much sought-after virtues in young women of those days.

I retired in 2005 after teaching at the same school for 30 years. The first two years of retirement were blissful. I enjoyed the freedom of not having to wake up at dawn to get to work by 7am. I had plenty of time on my hands to do what I wanted, go where and

Another new year has begun. Another year older for all of us. While the young eagerly look forward to a year full of possibilities, the old wish they could slow down the merciless march of time. It’s easy to say that age is just a number but when faced with the reality of our reflection

The first time I met Singapore’s supercentenarian, Teresa Hsu, was on Oct 20, 2008, a day after attending the MIM- RAMLEAN life enrichment programme. I had just spent four days from 16-19 Oct with 32 senior citizens ranging from 50 to 70 years of age. We were all looking to discover meaning and purpose in our