21 March 2007
Editor
Forum Page
Straits Times
I refer to your editorial on 20 March 07, entitled "It's time to rethink 'old'".
Think "old" and we often think of frailty and disability of seniors, and liability for society. The more kindly among us often advise those about to retire at 62, or earlier, to "take it easy'.
The newly-formed Centre For Seniors (CFS), which will open its doors in Junction 8 tower block next month, will point seniors in the other direction, to continue to work for as long as possible or be otherwise actively engaged.
Most seniors today enjoy good health and are able to work for a few more years. To retire when they can work is to suffer loss of income, companionship at the workplace, and less CPF savings.
Next month CFS will launch its "Seniors Employment Guidance" programme in partnership with NTUC's "Silver Collar Dragon Boat" programme. SEG will reach out to workers who are closer to 62 years, to inform them of the benefits of continuing to work and of the need to take into account their physical, mental, social and financial needs as they age.
At the same time, CFS will launch another programme called "Life-Long Learning", to enrich those seniors who have retired or who are not in the workforce eg housewives. This programme, run together with YAH! Community College of Marine Parade Family Service Centre, will impart understanding of self and lifeskills and will
foster comradeship among course participants.
The vision of CFS is "A Singapore in which seniors enjoy their rightful place in the family, the community and the country."
Tan Kin Lian
Chairman
Centre For Seniors
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