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SINGAPORE: The happier elderly are those with more social ties and those who make plans for their twilight years, according to a survey of 2,000 respondents by the Council for Third Age.
Among those surveyed, about half of those aged 65 and above do not feel it is affordable to grow old in Singapore, and one in four will prefer to retire overseas.
Chairman of the Council for Third Age, Gerard Ee, once considered migrating to Vancouver himself. But he decided against it as his ties were here.
He said: “If you just pick up a foreign newspaper and you look at it, (you think) for S$100,000 you can buy a few acres of land. But a lot of people do not realise the other realities of it. When you go there (overseas), then you will be on local terms -- you're not going to pay Singapore’s low taxes.
“It’s a question of being prepared. If you are prepared and you have your savings, Singapore is truly a wonderful place to grow old in.”
Indeed, the survey found that better preparedness for ageing -- by exercising regularly, having a balanced diet, and having financial plans for example -- increases happiness in one's old age.
The council found it heartening that about 51 per cent of those aged below 50 have financial plans in place, and that social networks and family bonds also have a key role to play with regard to one's well-being in the twilight years.
Of the respondents who expressed satisfaction with life, over 70 per cent have friends and family whom they can count on for support. For respondents who were less satisfied with life, less than 60 per cent have friends and family whom they can count on for support.
So to improve this, besides the Active Ageing Festival, Intergenerational Bonding Awards will also be introduced to encourage organisations to develop programmes to deepen ties between the young and old.
There will also be a conference on intergenerational solidarity, bringing together international experts at the National University of Singapore from the April 26 to 29 to discuss best practices to address intergenerational integration within the family, workplace and society.
As for the state of intergenerational bonding here, nine in 10 of those aged below 50 believe seniors have valuable life experiences to share.
But only six out of 10 seniors aged 65 and above feel they are well integrated into society.
Experts say this sense of isolation may be a result of poor health or rapid technological advancements.
The survey also found that about 80 per cent of the population feel that the family should be the primary care giving unit for seniors. But about two in five of those aged 65 and above feel they cannot rely on their family members if they fall ill.
Nonetheless, the survey found that 69 per cent of those aged 50 and above are active in the domestic sphere, taking care of grandchildren and helping with household chores. 71 per cent of those above 50 years old also say they are willing to look after their grandchildren.
But most seniors like to be active outside their homes too. More than half feel they should continue to work past the retirement age, while one-third are involved in special interest groups.
The Council for Third Age says these survey results will be shared on a networking platform called the Knowledge Networking on Ageing Programme (KNAP).
KNAP aims to facilitate knowledge sharing on active ageing and gerontology, both in the local and international arenas, so as to act as a bridge to the “research divide” between the academics and practitioners in the people sector.
- CNA/yt
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National survey shows elderly who have more social ties are happier 
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