You have looked forward to this day. Finally, you are free to wake up at any time you want and spend your day as you wish. It’s your retirement day!
Now that work is out of your life, it’s time to reorganise your priorities and do stuff you’ve never had time to do. In fact, you can be more active now that you are in your golden years and enjoy a healthy retirement lifestyle.
There are many Active Ageing Programmes (AAPs) across our island organised by the Ministry of Health to encourage seniors in their golden years to stay active, healthy and socially engaged. You can join any of these programmes that are located in your neighbourhood.
There are currently two senior care centres and active ageing hubs—located in Ghim Moh and Telok Blangah—that operate seven days a week as well as on public holidays. The elderly can look forward to mass exercises and workshops at the active ageing hubs, and caregivers can find support groups to give advice or assistance for respite care services. There are currently six active ageing hubs islandwide.
Are retirement communities up your alley? Admiralty is home to the country’s first “retirement kampung”, where two blocks of Housing Board flats meant for the elderly form an informal retirement community. It is the first-of-its-kind in Singapore to feature elderly-friendly features for seniors, as well as a medical centre offering specialist consultations, endoscopy and day surgery procedures.
Some of us may not like the idea of traditional retirement. We love putting the skills and knowledge we’ve learnt over the years to good use and we want to continue contributing to the society in our own way. Working full time might be too tiring in the long term so why not look for a part-time job that allows us to stay active while we earn an income? Or you might want to start a business offering your consultancy services. As the boss of a small business, you decide your own hours so you can free up some time to do the 10 things mentioned above. That’s a great win-win situation!
Picture yourself glowing with health after you retire. You are physically active, free from major illnesses and living independently. Family and friends surround you, filling your days with activities and cheer. You are enjoying what you love to do and feel mentally alert to take on new skills and hobbies.
Such a scenario is not far-fetched. With a little retirement planning, everyone can age successfully and be physically active after your retirement. Staying active keeps you healthy and lowers your risk of diseases such as diabetes and heart diseases. It strengthens your muscles, improves your balance and reduces your risk of falling.
Now that you have retired, it is time to rewire your life for better health!
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This article was last reviewed on 22 Nov 2023
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