TWO topics on the elderly have been in the news lately. One was the point made by Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew about remaining actively engaged as senior citizens ('Never retire'; July 29), and the other is health.
Mr Lee was spot on when he said elderly Singaporeans must be productive and there should not be a retirement age, that one should 'work as long as you can work and you will be healthier and happier for it'.
By 2030, one in five Singaporeans will be more than 65 years old. Therefore, the employment rate for older workers must be greatly increased.
What Singapore needs is a paradigm shift. Social capital is a strategic factor. The Government must lead the discussion involving labour, business and active interest groups like the Retired & Senior Volunteer Programme, the Tsao Foundation and other voluntary welfare organisations.
The essential changes to enable seniors to work as long as they wish include active ageing health measures, job restructuring, mindset change, and motivation and willingness among seniors to learn new skills.
Employers must also change their mindsets. Understanding the facts of ageing and its impact on physical and mental ability is crucial to enable all parties to bring about sustainable change.
Professor Feng Pao Hsii's letter ('Good health not just about weight, says a 'lighter' doctor'; July 30) struck a chord. His argument that good health is not indicated by a statistic like body mass index is spot on; it should also not be about a single number - age.
The development of employability is complex. It will involve the interaction of the individual, the type of work, the support given and everyone, including the Government, the young and the old, employers, employees and volunteers, having a part to play.
By meeting this challenge of promoting health, productivity and employability for all ages, we will create a home for all Singaporeans.
Dr Philbert Chin
President
RSVP Singapore
The Organisation of Senior Volunteers
Source: http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/STIStory_564548.html
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