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Growing old in Singapore is an unpleasant and fearful
experience. How relevant is such aclaim.
General statement -The percentage of elderly above age 65 has
increased from 4.9 percentin 1980 to 8.7 percent in 2008. How can
growing old in the 21 st century Singapore be anunpleasant and
fearful experience? With our facilities and programmes in this
modernising
society catering to growing number of elderly, they can
definitely enjoy the golden years andbe at ease.
Interpretation/scope -Growing old is the time when you reach the
retirement age, it is also aperiod for fulfilment of interests and
enjoying yourself after working arduously to earn moneyfor
necessities in life or climbing up the career ladders.
Unpleasant and fearful experience occurs when they feel a sense
of uselessness, socialisolation, lost their position in society,
due to no financial support and also poor health,physical illnesses
as they are dependent on others.
Dualism-Although the elderly in Singapore can enjoy the
convenience and accessibility in
fast-paced, scientifically developed Singapore with cutting
-edge technology, but we cannotdeny that they will have problems
adjusting and feel helpless as despite Singapore being asmall
country, it has flourished drastically throughout the generations
since independence.
Thesis statement-I agree to a small extent that growing old in
Singapore is an unpleasantand fearful experience.
Community centres organise activities for the elderly to
participate in to integratethem to society.
The elderly are able to get to know other s with similar
interests through the activities forgefriendships, recreational
activities such as chess, morning exercises . They can also
receive
basic conversational English lessons from volunteers to improve
thei r communication skillsand also computer lessons to allow them
to stay in touch of the technological advancements .This will
prevent them from loneliness and integrate them society as they
will haveprogrammes and new companions to talk to if they face
problems.
Over the past ten years, the proportion of the elderly who
participated in communityactivities had increased significantly
from 16.8% in 1998 to 40.7% in 2003 and 46.9% in2008. Most
participated in activities organised by the Community Clubs (CCs) ,
Residents'Committees (RCs), and religious organisations (Chart
2).
Thus, growing old in Singapore will be an enjoyable experience
for them through the socialinteraction and bonding with others
.
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Counter Argument
Critics have argued that it is an unpleasant experience as the
elderly are not adapted to thedrastic change of lifestyle during
their youth and old age.
Take for example, One in 20 elderly people suffers from
depression double of that from age30. About 5 per cent of those
over the age of 65 suffer from dementia, which is the mostsevere
cognitive impairment.
They may have to cope with the death of their partner and that
of friends receiving noemotional support from other family members.
They will feel loneliness as they have losttheir companion and
their lifestyles begin to change. This is also affected by the
rapidlychanging society and that they face difficulty in adjusting
to a western -influenced way of life.They may only be able to
converse in di alect or in their mother tongue and have very
lowknowledge of English thus being neglected by society .
However, many old people are quite resilient in the face of
adversity due to coping strategieslearned from past experience s
and through turbulent times. It is their strength of character that
gets them past adversities and adaptable to changing circumstances.
It is also apersonal choice on whether to be involved with social
activities. Thus, they will be able to livetheir old age to the
fullest.
The Sample Household Survey (SHS) findings showed that more than
97% of elderlyhouseholds living in HDB estates were satisfied with
their flats, neighbourhood, and theprovision of estate facilities
in 2008.
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Speaking at the launch of the National Wellness Programme,
Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong said that relationships
willstrengthen when husbands and wives take part in activities
together.
The programme is also targeted at seniors who are alone.
"The Wellness Programme aims to reach out to all seniors,
particularly those who may be at risk of social isolation.
Byparticipating in social interest groups, we hope that the
friendship forged among seniors would translate into mutualcare and
support in times of need," said SM Goh.
