In a recent Canadian Community Health Survey, nearly 49% of Canadians above 20 are at least “moderately active”. This level of activity can be achieved by walking for 30 minutes each day. What leads to reaching recommended levels of physical activity?

They analysed and made telephone interviews to discover something fascinating. Self efficacy (confidence in one’s ability) and intention (determination to act) had the greatest effect on physical activity! In older people, exercise (a form of physical activity) was also associated with perceived health benefits, education and family income.

First author Sai Yi Pan, MD, suggested that the “health promotion programs need to enhance people’s confidence and motivation, as well as provide education on the health benefits of physical activity.”

Often I am being asked by individuals, directors, managers and even health professionals asking me "What could be done to bring sustainability in exercise?" They find adherence a problem.

Well, education and motivation reminds me a lot about how we developed PROAGE's Active Living Programme. We structured it to be at the heart of the programme and till today we are seeing results in our seniors.

Here are some photos to share my joy.

Have a great week!
Isaiah Chng

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Over the weekend Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong made a statement that called on Singaporeans not to make abandoning elderly parents in old folks' homes a trend.

"Many MPs have come across sad stories of children throwing their aged parents out of their homes because they are viewed as a burden. Though not widespread, there are also instances of children abandoning their parents in old folks' homes. These are isolated cases but we must ensure they do not become a trend." Source: CNA

I definitely agreed and support this statement and I believe it was timely as these cases could get rampant as Singapore ages. Personally I have met and seen numerous seniors in Singapore being abandon or left to linger in loneliness with only occasional visits from loved ones. That's no wonder why we often hear some seniors mention that they would rather die than be sent to homes. When a senior person is taken out of familiar environment they would no longer be able to enjoy what we term as "golden years". Ageing in place is vital and a necessity for successful ageing.

Prevention of nursing home entry and extending self-independence are key areas that exemplifies what we stand for at PROAGE. We tout it, we proclaim it and we preach it.

Warmest Regards,
Isaiah Chng

 

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An interesting concept to share. Six exercise bikes lined up in the community area of Beijing's Fengtei district and the senior citizens riding the bikes certainly don't seem like they are trying to get anywhere fast. They are barely pushing the pedals hard enough to keep the bikes in motion.

These are proud retirees who are not only getting exercise but are generating power! As they pedal, they charge a row of batteries that are later dropped off to low-income local residents to run TVs and other electric devices.

Blessings,
Isaiah Chng

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Recently, it was brought to my attention that there was a study focused on older adults completed in our nation. Isn't it a joy to hear that? Knowing more always helps us understand and relate to this precious age group.

Here's the gist of it.  In Singapore, a government survey of 3,000 people ages 43-60 years found that this age group is far more educated than the current cohort of older adults, and that they are expecting to work until age 65 or beyond. Older age and retirement were seen as a time to pay attention to health (85%), spend more time with their families (77%) and pursue hobbies and leisure activities (70%).

This is great news!! We often thought that many are still clinging on to their "rusty" mindset of kicking back and relaxing all the days of their lives. Nonetheless, Health, is one broad but important component to note. I read a study by our American counterparts and yes health was ranked above finance.Seniors if you read this, take heart that you are not alone when you think health is wealth. Live a brand new life! Ageing opens a whole new experience and we at PROAGE look to support you in this endeavour. 

Blessings,
Isaiah Chng

 

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Recently I conversed with Jane Verity, an international dementia expert. She spoke to me about person centreed care and yes this aspect of care is very important, especially when we are dealing with seniors. In PROAGE everything we do should revolve around the client and we taking steps to ensure that is entrenched deep in our values and company culture.

The Victorian Department of Human Services (2003) defines person-centred care as ‘treatment and care provided by health services [that] places the person at the centre of their own care and considers the needs of the older person’s carers’.

The following principles of person-centred care are all encompassed within the concept of partnership:

• Getting to know the patient or client as a person (holistic approach as well as individual approach)
• Sharing of power and responsibility (patient or client as an expert in their own health, sharing of decision making, information, the idea of common ground)
• Accessibility and flexibility (of service provider as a person and of the services provided)
• Coordination and integration (consideration of the whole experience from the point of view of the service user)
• Having an environment that is conducive to person-centred care (supportive of staff working in a person-centred way and easy for service users to navigate).

With warm blessing,
Isaiah Chng

 

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Today a comment I made during the conference was out on Newpaper and it writes, "The earnest one was the young man Isaiah Chng, 25, of ProAge, who works at changing mindsets of the elderly who think they are useless and on the decline after 60."

A point I wanted to put forth is that ageism is horrible and is widespread in varying degrees throughout our society. Ageism gives seniors their identity and are tagged "useless" in society and it is saddening to see seniors themselves being influenced and thinking they are of little worth.

I can't believe what I saw from a presentation by Mr Jean Paul Treguer, President and Founder, Senioragency the other day. He showed an advertisement of a young man going to bed with an elderly lady with dementia and his wife was on the same bed as well!! Gosh all for the sake of promoting a type of condom for Durex. I am flabbergasted by the acceptance and thrill of making seniors look like fools worldwide as he showed us more example of horrid adverts.

Let's start from our families and cherish our parents and grandparents. Encourage them to break out of the societal perceptions and get them to band with seniors who are positive and forward looking towards growing old.

I loved the quote by Professor Sarah Harper, Director, Oxford Institute of Ageing and it goes like this "We are never growing old, we are just living longer!". Everyone of her staff believe that and yes we all should!

Have a great day!
Isaiah Chng

 

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It has been an amazing conference and I have not seen employment of mature workers in so many facets. I am elated to see a myriad of government agencies, unions, VWOs & businesses coming together for the better of seniors in Singapore.

I was honoured to meet PM Lee Hsien Long and I do agree with him and the thought experts from various countries, that our wage structures and employment terms are outdated. They are made for the past industrial age and do not meet the needs of seniors attributed from the huge population shift that is taking place.

One of PROAGE's objective as a social enterprise is to hire mature workers. Our target is to at all times have at least 50% of our staff 55 and over. With flexible working hours, proper pay structures and functional capacity (physical/mental), seniors can work till 100 years old!

Physical and mental wellness is crucial for employability of seniors and during one of our Q&A sessions, Dr. Kanwaljit Soin, President of WINGS(Women's Initiative for Ageing Successfully) raised a similar comment that being willing to work but unable is an issue. But that's what PROAGE advocates day in day out and to our seniors that is much less of an issue.

Have a great day!
Isaiah Chng

 

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Time goes by like a gush of wind! We are approaching the end of the year and it's Christmas Day. I would like to represent PROAGE to wish all our readers and business associates a Blessed Christmas and may 2009 be a fruitful year ahead.

With love, Isaiah Chng

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Today, December 22nd 2008 is the first entry of our blog since we launched our site just before Christmas! I hope you like the current design of this site. We are always on the look out to renew and innovate what we offer to our clients.

Even though it's a new design release, we now have a designer at work to beef up our company's branding and identity. This is in line with our intention to make available our programme and services to more seniors with extensive marketing efforts in the future.

With love, Isaiah Chng

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