This past few weeks has been hectic as various public and private stakeholders are ramping up their efforts towards healthy ageing. I have been really privilege and honoured to be invited to a few conferences to share my heart and our work at PROAGE with industry partners.

In a conference "Malaysian Healthcare & Private Pension" there was much interest in the 1Care plan for Malaysia. Interesting developments and the day after the conference, the headlines read "RETIREMENT AGE UP TO 60". Amazing stuff! It was indeed apt as it was just after the conference and I was glad that our neighbour country is moving to cater for an ageing workforce. I am sure there will be more moving forward in that country. Well at another conference, I was glad to meet and hear from world renown advocates for ageing issues with the same heart for the people in need.

Many asked why am I doing what I do at PROAGE. Many probe into the unlikely relation between my age, the work I do and the "healthy ageing" cause that I advocate. To that I reply, "I am sick and tired of seeing people heading into nursing homes and/or living a life depressed and suffer from conditions that can in fact be PREVENTED. There are things we can impact to our healthcare system, approach and societal perceptions". This is by no means to say that nursing homes are bad, there is a necessity for it, but people need choices and be provided opportunities to age happy and healthy!

At this juncture, I would like to share about something I firmly believe in and perhaps forward looking to you. Point to me, a well-run day care or nursing home, and we have many...But how many facilities, especially day care actually get their clients well again? Those that go in frail or are stricken with chronic disease...Would they stand a chance to be independent again?? Are they given the opportunities to live live HEALTHY AND HAPPY? Could we actually have a concerted effort to integrate them back into community and family? I have seen too many people going into day care centres and nursing home never to return home. They get worse and are unstimulated simply sitting there. Even activities such as counting beans are ridiculous.

Imagine if people going to day care and nursing homes started checking out? They can then be part of the community at large and staying healthy through health promotion activities that are available in the community. Like a hotel, after using services they are good and independent and they CHECK OUT! That'll change the mindsets of healthcare providers, practitioners and society. A transformation indeed :)

Blessings,
Isaiah Chng

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Heard this story from one of my associate that really makes so much sense!! Many including healthcare professionals assume our problems are a part of old age and that you'll just have to live with it. This story brings hope...

An 85-year-old man goes to see his doctor and complains of a pain in his right knee.

"Ah, you're just getting older," the doctor says. "You're 85."

The man responds: "My left knee is 85, too, and it feels fine."

Blessings,
Isaiah Chng

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A shift in our view towards healthy ageing at PROAGE as we start to see more insights as we develop as a company. We are always working towards creating avenues and opportunities for every individual to age well, happy and healthy. What's relevant and suitable for each person is thus important.

Thus we say "Healthy ageing is no longer after 50, but at all LIFE STAGES from childhood onwards". How about preventing osteoporosis and heart attacks for your children when they are older? Age is never about a number, but which life stage are you at? :)

Hear from you!
Isaiah Chng

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OoowwWW! I have been invited to speak on "Healthy/Active Ageing and Senior Living" in Malaysia this coming Sept! It's a milestone for Malaysia, our growing neighbour. I am glad I'll be with fellow visionaries in their country. I am also on the roll for an international conference in US this year-end! Seeking sponsorship as I head off to represent our country in these global changing events. :)

You may want to check out the conference details and sign up @ RM 299 per delegate (for registrations before 15 August 2011)

Blessings,
Isaiah Chng

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You must be wondering why I have not blogged for the last month or so. Well I was taking a rest to think of . During this time, the company is going through a reshuffle and we are hiring!! We are consolidating for our next push forward to better serve our customers and also evaluate our business and social strategies moving forward. We have also put to paper key thrust we are looking to do for the next 5 years. Impacting lives, systems and national policies are what we aspire to be doing and we are making it known to the key stakeholders in every arena we are in.

Well during this time, everyone in PROAGE from advisors to volunteers are working to steer the company towards it's vision. Well we believe that more the merrier and we are involving many in our long term plans. The combined wisdom will do us much wonders!!

And, I just turned 28. Many more years ahead of fun and joy seeing PROAGE grow! :)

Blessings,
Isaiah Chng

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I stand corrected today after an email conversation on nomination of active ageing award.. I mentioned that the criteria was too high based on previous winners. Well, got a reply saying that we should not nominate only if they can win, but nominate as a form of encouragement to the seniors? A sign that no matter what, there are people out there who recognise them as an active ageing role model.

It struck me with all my person-centred approach that seeks to build and not destroy. Indeed everyone learns each day, even to relearn something that you advocate. Back to my basics in re-branding ageing. :)

Definitely encouragement is important and to see them for who they are as they grow older. Doesn't matter if they don't compare very well. Eg. along the lines of what we believe in PROAGE. We believe that a person with stroke can attain wellness, in all dimensions! It's about maximising what abilities are left and enhancing the outlook on old age. Having a positive outlook has been shown to increase life expectancy by 7 years!!

Blessings,
Isaiah Chng

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Last month we were part of C3A's Active Ageing Carnival, a bid to promote active ageing and the silver industry yearly. We were invited this year and we had a booth double the size of most booths. So blessed to have that because we were totally swarmed! Thousands streamed through our booth and enquired of our programmes and services. Even Minster Lim Boon Heng stopped by to try our cheeky brain assessments.

At the carnival, all my wonderful staff and not to mention volunteers spoke till they almost lost their voices. I am glad to say that our launch into brain fitness is a success! We had more than 300 sign-up for our "Discovering the 4 pillars of a Healthy Brain" workshop and many more for Conductorcise, our physical/mental stimulation programme that has been our most significant contribution to the industry. Tanjong Pagar wellness programme under Minister Mentor's ward has chose ConductorciseGOLD, developed for the community as their signature activity to engage the public.

Thanks to all who contributed to the successful interactions and engagements we had with 50plus population, all the uncles and aunties loved it!! The carnival and 50plus exhibition is an eye opener to the array products and services available for the silver population.

Enjoy your week,
Isaiah Chng

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It's been sometime since I posted but hey there has been a lot happening!!! Since the inception of PROAGE in 2007, the silver industry has grown. On a national level, the awareness of the need to engage a new wave of consumers in a different way is evident by now. It's time to move forward...not because people are growing older. It's not about age, but it's about life stage. Many think that hey we need more wheelchairs or perhaps magnifying glass to help older adults to read...BUT look at it this way...when you come to a different life stage, it's a different perspective altogether. An example I like to cite is in Japan...

Toymakers who target children or parents now set their eyes on grandparents. People are coming into a different stage of life and they seek meaning and purpose in fulfilling their lives. So caring and doting on grandchildren is one aspect of living at their current stage of life. They buy toys... :) Think about it...

Blessings,
Isaiah Chng

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It is no doubt that there is a new trend that will soon appear more evident in Asia. Older adults opting to be role models. Nothing beats having someone 50plus or even 70 who had high blood pressure and a by-pass before stand before you healthy and happy. What a role model would he/she be as compared to a muscle-packed body builder trainer. Check this article.

More older adults taking on personal trainer role :)))

Blessings,
Isaiah Chng

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Recently a new inter-agency office was started to develop urban solutions for an ageing Singapore. One thing I thought I point out and I quote from my email to our local government agency.

"We learn from overseas and our very own local experience what ageing is about in Singapore and Asia. Thus, our concern for the building studio apartments is that older adults get their needs met, but they get socially isolated. Yes they are sort of ageing in place, but they are totally not part of the community. That is no difference from them being in a nursing home. They have their needs met with services present, but are isolated from society. The studio apartment has a label on it. It's only for "OLD" people, thus no younger person would be there. A sigma which is already in society is further solidify by the physical spaces we build. Thus, the integration of older adults in society is important. It's a multi-generational thing which is simply part of life. Why we want people to live where they call home? They have friends. They have grandchildren (different generation). They have shops and supermarkets.... It's simply growing old in a community and not in place we want to look at. For a place need not be a community where people are socially engaged. Growing old does not need us to be shifted to another place, but we want to stay in a community.

Hope that gets something across and contribute something how Singapore, my nation create and forge a better future for older adults."

Blessings,
Isaiah Chng

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