Green thumbs: Pensioners Nuarani Ag Lah, 70, and Mat Rahim Mat Nasir, 71, enjoying a spot of gardening to keep their bodies and minds healthy. — AZLINA ABDULLAH/The Star
PETALING JAYA: Many believe that retirement should be a time to sit back and relax after all the hard work put in through the years.
But experts caution that seniors should avoid living a sedentary lifestyle, given the many benefits of continuing to pursue various physical and social activities to keep themselves in shape beyond retirement.
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The key is to take up new activities or hobbies to keep the brain active, said Malaysian Society of Geriatric Medicine president Prof Dr Tan Maw Pin.
“Retirees can also consider learning new languages, how to play new instruments or even try new recipes to keep their brains stimulated.
“Staying active physically, mentally and socially beyond retirement can ensure that one remains in the best shape of their lives despite their age,” she said.
She said among the more popular hobbies taken up by seniors after they turned 60 were gardening or joining social activities with peers.
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“Hobbies are highly encouraged as it allows seniors to maintain physical activity and social interactions with others.
“If one is physically able to perform a certain activity, feel free to do so, but if you feel any aches or pains, get them checked.
“Either way, never avoid exercise but always work within your means,” said Dr Tan, who is a consultant geriatrician at the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre.
She said seniors also shouldn’t shy away from performing resistance or cardiovascular training, as it helped to preserve or further build one’s body despite old age.
Social interactions also help seniors by giving them a support system as they age, she said.
She added that preventive medicine was also something for those in their 40s to take heed of.
“This includes vaccinations, eyesight and hearing screening as well as checks for other possible conditions,” she said.
Malaysian Healthy Ageing Society president Prof Dr Shahrul Bahyah Kamaruzzaman said living a sedentary lifestyle was a serious threat to old age.
“Seniors should keep moving not just physically but also mentally, cognitively and socially as they enter a new phase of life (following retirement).
“It is equally important to adopt the mindset of healthy and active ageing from a younger age.
“Always plan for regular health checks and ensure control of any existing disease or conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and being overweight,” she said.
Seniors should also seize the opportunity to take up various activities following retirement, she said, adding that it was always better to be late than never.
“The activities are up to the individual’s preference and interest. But group or paired activities are encouraged as they can ensure engagement and motivation to keep staying active,” she said.Malaysian Coalition on Ageing (MCOA) chairman Cheah Tuck Wing said the government should spend more on preventive healthcare and promote healthy ageing.
“Adequate grants must be made available to non-governmental organisations (NGO) to conduct programmes and activities to keep seniors healthy and active.
“This will allow seniors to lead meaningful and purposeful lives after retirement,” he added.
He said it was also important for the government to consult with civil society and NGOs to ensure the success of any policies.
Cheah said jobs should also be redesigned to offer senior workers greater work flexibility.
“(Job) training should be made accessible and effective. A seniors- only national job bank could be set up as well.
“A mindset change is required among employers (including those in the public sector) on the value of older workers,” he said.
Separately, he said the MCOA also called for a separate and dedicated ministry or department for seniors’ well-being.
“Ideally, the person heading this should report directly to the Prime Minister for effective and efficient decision-making and implementation,” he said.
