Are you worried about how your aged parents can live a meaningful life in their golden years? Does retirement sound like a boring plan with nothing to do after you stop work?

Whether retirement planning has kicked in or not, many seniors wish to spend their life meaningfully, but some may not know how. They end up just watching TV all day (as retirees) and that can be detrimental to their social and mental health and lead to other issues.

This list offers ideas on how seniors can spend their time purposefully and actively – keeping their minds and body engaged.

How can seniors make their life active in old age?

Firstly, seniors need to understand why they should embrace active ageing, whether they are still working or not.

Next, having a healthy positive mental health is essential.

Thirdly, if they are still mobile, they need to cherish their mobility and make effort to partake in senior-friendly physical activities to keep their physical body fit.

Like most of us who are in the sandwich generation – caring for our young children and being responsible for our elderly parents – folks who are in their 60’s, 70’s and beyond may have differing views.

As their children, we will need to practise more patience and understanding especially with aged parents who may seem to be more “stubborn” or resistant to changes.

Ways for seniors to age actively and live well in Singapore: from lifestyle changes to active ageing programmes and more

With a greying population in Singapore, there have been an increase in programmes and activities planned for the golden years. Here are some tips on what seniors can do to age actively and live well:

• Encourage eating a balanced diet

Homecooked foods are often deemed healthier, but some folks love fatty food which may not be a good idea for a healthy heart. Some common health issues amongst seniors include high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart diseases, diabetes, and obesity. By eating a variety of vegetables, fruits, meat and carbohydrates, coupled with keeping physically active, a healthier lifestyle is within reach.

• Avoid eating leftovers or overnight food

To reduce food wastage, our parents usually keep food overnight so they can eat the leftovers over the next few days. Although with good intentions, this is not ideal as it may lead to food poisoning. Thus, educating our aged parents is important – although whether they accept it or not might be a different story.

• Get moving with physical activities

The World Health Organisation (WHO) suggests that adults aged 65 and over should do at least 150–300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity; or at least 75–150 minutes of vigorous intensity aerobic physical activity; or an equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity activity throughout the week, to reap health benefits.

Start slow, especially if your elders have never been sporty or physically active before. Exercising is not just about cardio and getting that heart rate up – which typically scares many inactive folks.

There are many simple exercises for seniors to do at their own time and pace like brisk walking around the estate and doing stretches at home. There are also FREE activities for 50 years old and above, organised by the Health Promotion Board (HPB) and People’s Association, to help improve their mental, social and physical health.

You’d be surprised that there is an increasing number of seniors at the gyms these days! Did you know that Singaporeans 65 years old and above get FREE entry to ActiveSG gyms and swimming pools? There’s really no excuses to say that exercising is expensive when one is no longer earning a salary. Of course, there are also gym memberships at private gym, fitness classes like Zumba Gold and Yoga which our elderly parents can join to if they prefer a certain location or class that the free ones don’t offer.

• Engage in mentally stimulating activities

Dementia and Alzheimer’s are some common progressive brain-related diseases among the elderly. We can help our parents to lower the risk by engaging in mentally stimulating activities. Sounds pretty much like our growing children when it comes to enhancing their cognitive development, right? Except at this stage, it is to slow down our folk’s brain deterioration by increasing mental activities.

One of the most popular games that involve brain power is mahjong. Folks can also play chess, card games, checkers, sudoku, scrabble, word search, crossword puzzles and more.

Pick up a new hobby or explore an interest they have always wanted to

Now that they have more time on their hands, it’s opportune to pursue an interest they have always wanted to but lacked the time when younger. Better yet, pick up new skills and nurture new hobbies like baking or cooking a certain cuisine, become a yoga instructor or even learn coding!

The benefits of lifelong learning is not limited to acquiring new skills and knowledge. Learning new things as we get older helps improve memory and sharpen cognitive function, giving them motivation to achieve a goal and boosts confidence too. Emotional health is important too.

Do your parents love technology and digital breakthroughs? There are learning programmes and online classes specially for our silver generation. Our government has also launched the Seniors Go Digital programme to offer support to active agers who wish to learn but don’t know where to go. Who knows? Your parents may be able to create videos on their mobile phones and impress you!

• Volunteering opportunities

Being able to give back to the community is a blessing. They may consider volunteering in different groups such as religious communities that they are part of, volunteering at schools with roles like traffic wardens or gardeners, or, look out for volunteering roles via C3A or Giving.sg.

It gives them new meaning in this new season and offers them the chance to socialise, interact, move around and communicate with people from other walks of life too. Being able to contribute and make an impact on others will also let them feel important.

• Join Active Ageing Centres in Singapore

Did you know that there are several Active Ageing Centres (AAC) in Singapore that are catered to our silver generation? They are usually located at neighbourhoods for accessibility. Besides programmes and activities like craft and karaoke sessions, there are various courses for seniors to enrol in to enhance their life skills. There are also befriending services and other services that promote employment or volunteerism.

On the other hand, Active Ageing Care Hubs (AACH), which are similar to AACs, offer day care or rehabilitation for seniors who are more vulnerable.

Growing old is part and parcel of our life journey. Like our aged parents, one day, we will turn old and grey, and that’s why retirement planning is important. With financial freedom in our later years, that means we have the flexibility to enjoy our remaining years without worrying and stressing over bills and other financial matters. Unsure how to start planning for your retirement or your senior parents’ funds? Reach out to me and find out how I’ve successfully planned for my own parents and myself.