OLDER WORKERS CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Who can afford to retire these days? With the high cost of living, the slowdown in the economy and the depreciation of the ringgit, our retirement savings will be depleted long before we are gone. It's time for a Plan B, C or D to supplement our retirement funds. It's either back to work, start a small business or invest a portion of our savings.

If you have no head for business or investment, the best option, arguably, is to get a job. However this is easier said than done. Jobs that are suitable for older workers are limited. But a bigger challenge facing retirees planning to return to full or part time employment is age discrimination. With multinational corporations, SMEs and retail businesses laying off staff in the hundreds and thousands, retirees have better luck striking a 4-D lottery than getting re-employed.

Freddie Yap

That is why Mayflower Tours deserves two thumbs up for giving two of its employees, Ivan Ho Eng Kiang, 67, and Mohd Shapiei bin Zakaria, 68, the opportunity to continue working with the company. Both had already reached retirement age.

Says Freddie Yap, Head of Coach Operations with Mayflower, "The Gardens Mall had approached us to provide a shuttle service from Mont Kiara to The Gardens Mall, including a conductor and a driver. We immediately thought of Ivan and Shapiei. Both men had just the right qualifications and qualities for the job.

Ivan, a former tour guide, knew exactly what the job entailed. As for Shapiei, his vast experience as a former driver with a tour and travel company made him an obvious shoo-in for the job."

Billy Pih

Fortunately for Ivan and Shapiei, The Gardens Mall had no issue with having two senior citizens running the shuttle bus service.

"To us, what matters most is excellent customer service and good work ethics," explains Billy Pih, The Gardens Mall Customer Service Manager. "As the passengers are mostly expats and locals residing in Mont Kiara, we needed someone who could speak good English, is familar with the needs and expectations of the passengers, and upholds professionalism in his work. Ivan fits the bill. The same with Shapiei. It would be hard to find a more reliable, responsible and patient driver than Shapiei. He is very careful on the road. The safety of the passengers is paramount to him.

What do both Ivan and Shapiei have to say about their work?

Ivan Ho

Both men take their job responsibilities seriously. "I enjoy my work. I would be bored stiff doing nothing, just sitting around at home," says Shapiei.

"Me too," chips in Ivan. "My children have no objections to my returning to work. In fact, they say it's good for me. Keeps me physically and mentally active. And self-supporting too."

As part of his daily work routine, Ivan welcomes the passengers on board, reminds them of the schedule for the day and even throws in suggestions on what activities they can enjoy while at The Gardens Mall and MidValley City. No other shuttle service provides a conductor quite like Ivan.

Shapiei, on the other hand, prefers to focus on his driving. Soft-spoken and mild-mannered, he is a direct contrast to Ivan, but together they make a great team.

Now eight years down the road, Shapiei still enjoys driving the shuttle, and Ivan still relishes taking good care of everyone on the shuttle. He finds seats for the elderly, helps young mothers with their strollers, and others with their shopping bags. Mont Kiara residents who use the service have nothing but high praise for both men.

Mohd Shapiei Zakaria

Retired school administrator, Chan Ng Moi, has been taking the shuttle for the past three years. "The service is excellent. The bus is clean and comfortable. Ivan is friendly and courteous. He connects well with the passengers. As for Encik Shapiei, I feel safe knowing he is behind the wheel. He is such a cautious driver. I have never seen him speed or lose his temper. This is very important as there are elderly people and children taking the shuttle daily."

Indonesian expat, Lovi, echoes the same sentiment. She uses the service regularly with her husband. "It's so convenient. This morning we took the 10.00am shuttle, did our grocery shopping at the supermarket in The Gardens Mall, and returned to Mont Kiara on the 11.35am shuttle. We are able to plan our shopping trips according to the schedule because we know the shuttle is always on time."

When pressed about the company's hiring policy, Pih has this to say: " We don't discriminate on age. As long as the candidate possesses the right work experience, is in good health and willing to work hard, we will recruit him. The right person for the job must also be well-groomed."

Adds Yap, "Having the right attitude is equally important. Older workers must be willing to learn, adapt to change and accept instructions from younger management staff."

Orderly queuing to board the shuttle at The Gardens Mall. 

To sum up,  here's the take-home message from my interview with the four gentlemen. Seniors who are contemplating rejoining the work force should take note of these tips. They will stand you in good stead the next time you apply for a job.

• be flexible
• learn to keep up with technology
• upgrade your skills
• stay relevant to the changing times
• respect your bosses regardless of their age
• uphold work ethics
• don't make unreasonable demands
• be a team member

Footnote:
Other shopping malls in the Klang Valley also provide shuttle bus services. But The Gardens Mall shuttle service stands out in terms of safety, reliability and customer satisfaction. It deserves a 5-star rating. I should know as I use the service regularly.

For those new to the service, here's some info regarding The Gardens Mall shuttle service.  It is complimentary. The route covers Mont Kiara, The Gardens Mall at MidValley City and KLSentral, with three trips a day, 365 days a year. Pick-up and drop-off point is next to Jeeves Dry-Cleaners in the Isetan wing of The Gardens Mall.

(Article by Lily Fu)

TIME TO TIGHTEN OUR BELTS

Crunch time is back again, no thanks to the imposition of a hefty 6% GST and the weak ringgit. With the downturn in the economy, and workers being retrenched in the hundreds and thousands, we need to take a serious look at how to stretch our ringgit.

That's right, folks. It's time to tighten our belts a notch or two. How can we do it without feeling the pinch too much? Is it possible to still enjoy life without sacrificing too much of our creature comforts?

ABSOLUTELY! Here are 10 suggestions:

1. Give luxuries and branded items a miss at least for now
What can we give up without feeling too much pain? Definitely luxuries and branded items. Ladies, do you really need that RM3000 LV bag? Won't a RM150 bag do just as well? Guys, this isn't the time to buy that RM5,000 Tag Heuer watch. Wait till your bank account improves. In the meantime, stick with your current watch which still does a good job of telling time.

2. Do you really need all those expensive health supplements?
Take a good look at your health supplements. Do you really need that many? Seniors spend hundreds of ringgit a month on multi-vitamins, health juices and tonics. We should consider alternatives for maintaining good health like exercise, proper eating habits, adequate sleep and a positive mental attitude, all of which are free. Keep supplements to a minimum, and only those that work for you.

3. Downsize, downsize, downsize
We can't repeat this often enough. If it's just you and your spouse, sell the family-size house and move to a smaller one. Less time and energy spent too on maintaining the place. Consider renting a smaller place if you want to keep the house, and get a tenant for the family home. As for the family car, the sooner you sell off the fuel-guzzling monster for a compact, fuel-saving and reliable Myvi, the better off you will be in terms of savings.

4. No shame in hand-me downs
This applies more to electronic devices like computers, smart phones, and cameras. If your adult children are in the habit of upgrading their electronic devices each time the latest model is on the market, let them know you'll be happy to be the new owner of their discards. We know of retirees whose homes are equipped with second-hand items like TVs, karaoke systems, refrigerators and washing machines all handed down from their children, and all still in pristine working condition.

5. Consider cheaper options
Eat at home, or at food courts when out in the city. We can give ourselves a treat at a nice restaurant every other week. Going for a vacation? Book with budget airlines, and stay at no-frills budget hotels. The difference between a 3-star hotel and a 4-star one is just one star, but it could mean a saving of a few thousand ringgit for an extended stay. Take public transport and leave the car for places not served by trains or buses, or for when you need to get somewhere in a hurry. You will be surprised how much you can save on fuel.

6. Ask for senior discounts
Nothing to be ashamed of in asking about senior discounts. Many restaurants, cinemas, and retail outlets do offer special rates for seniors aged 60 and above. Apply for a warga emas RapidKL card to get 50% off on train and bus services. Better still, make use of the free Go-KL and PJ City shuttle bus services. If you shop regularly at certain establishments, get a member's privilege card to enjoy discounts or special rates.

7. Less is more
So true when it comes to food, clothes, credit cards, indeed, almost everything. Over-eating can lead to obesity and ill health, over-buying can lead to clutter and hoarding, and over-possession of credit cards can lead to debt and financial ruin. One credit card should suffice to cover your purchases. The same goes for trips abroad - set a limit that is within your means. By the way, ladies, less is also more when it comes to wearing make-up, perfume or jewellery. To look younger, wearing a smile is more effective than getting a face-lift. So much cheaper too.

8. Look out for sales and bargains
Patience is a money-saver when it comes to shopping. You can get fantastic bargains on books at the Big Bad Wolf sale or the annual Popular Bookfest. Shop for clothes when departmental stores are having massive discounts. Shop at discount stores like Mr DIY or convenience stores like 99-Speedmart where prices are kept low and affordable. As for groceries, opt for wet markets, night markets and hypermarkets.

9. Don't try and keep up with the Datuks and Tan Sris
If you don't have a healthy bank balance, you should refrain from living a lavish lifestyle just to keep up appearances. You don't have to celebrate your birthday in grand style if you can't afford it. And you don't need to throw a lavish dinner for your daughter's wedding if it puts you in the red. In short, don't be a kiasu.

10. Count the costs and check your budget
You won't go wrong if you adopt a practical and sensible approach towards managing your finances. Spend only when necessary, and do the math before you part with your money. Go for value. Ask yourself if you can afford it, if you really need it, and if there's a cheaper option that's almost as good as the one you have in mind.

Better to be called a cheapskate than to be declared a bankrupt. Better to sleep soundly with peace of mind, than to be hounded by creditors and re-possessors, or worse by Ah Longs.

Unless you have investments that pay generous dividends, unless you have a business that generates high revenue, unless you have a job that comes with a handsome salary, the best way to ensure your savings will see you through your retirement years is to LIVE A SIMPLE LIFE.

Warren Buffet, one of the wealthiest men in the world, has the last word on why we must learn to spend wisely:

GONG XI FA CAI - HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR

HOW TO AVOID WHATSAPP CHAT GROUP FATIGUE

WhatsApp chat groups are getting increasingly popular with seniors. It's super easy to start a chat group, and it definitely saves the hassle of communicating with people individually on common topics. But on the downside, being in one too many WhatsApp groups can be time-wasting and a source of annoyance too.

To ensure all participants derive maximum benefit from WhatsApp groups, here are some basic etiquette to observe.

DO's and DONT's

For the group administrator:

#1. Choose an appropriate name for the chat group. 
      Put some thought into it. The same applies to selecting the group image. A ukulele chat group, for example, is meant for posts relating to ukulele, and not for discussion on the latest cancer cure or other topics. A Memory Lane chat group is obviously to share content relating to the good old days, and not to post current political news.

#2. Always ask for permission before adding someone.
      Don't assume that your friends have no objection to being included. They may already be in dozens of chat groups, and certainly won't welcome being added to another one without their consent. I was once added to a Lion Dance chat group without prior notice. I wouldn't mind a Line Dance chat group as I enjoy line dancing, but LION dance?!

#3. Add only people that you know.
      Strangers are ok if they share common interests with the group. For example, for a dementia caregivers' chat group, it is alright to add bona fide caregivers even though you may not know them personally.

Limit the size of your chat group to keep it manageable.

#4. Keep the group small
      Limit the size to 30 participants. The bigger the number, the tougher it is to manage the group. You may have more problems to deal with, and more alerts interrupting your day too.

#5. Set the rules from the start. 
      State what content is encouraged or disallowed. Make it clear that anyone who continues to post insensitive or irrelevant content despite being warned, will be removed or blocked from the group.

#6. Delete the chat group.
      Once the sole purpose of setting up the chat group is achieved, inform the participants you will be deleting the group. If they want it to remain, you can decide whether to carry on, or exit and let someone else take over as administrator.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For chat group participants:

#1. Participate. Contribute. 
      Don't be a silent, passive observer. Get involved in the chat or discussion. Your views matter. And if the administrator calls for feedback on something, or poses a question, participants should respond. Otherwise, why remain in the group?

#2. Don't spam. 
      Don't flood the group with advertisements and sales pitch. Don't ask others to forward a link, or share your post with 12 others. Leave it to them to decide.

#3. Limit your images and videos.
      Think twice before you share 20 photos of your company's annual dinner or 100 images of your recent trip to Hawaii. One or two should be enough. More is an overdose and a big turn-off. Remember, all images and videos posted on WhatsApp are automatically stored in your phone gallery or album. They take up enormous storage space. You have to manually delete them to free up space, or change your WhatsApp settings to manually select what you want to save. The best place to post lots of photos and videos is on your own Facebook page.

Always check for credibility of the news item before you post it on your WhatsApp chat groups. Make sure you also read the article first before you share it with others. 

#4. Always verify your source of info.
      This applies in particular to news items, health remedies and medical claims that you post in the chat group. When an unverified post goes viral, it may cause undue fear or damage. Be known as a source of reliable info than a dispenser of false news.

#5. Agree to disagree. 
      There's no need to get heated up if others don't agree with your views. You will only upset others if you start calling them names or making sarcastic remarks. For all you know, others may have complained about you to the group administrator.

#6. Be sensitive.
      This applies to groups with participants from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds. Be mindful that what you think is funny may be offensive to others. Show respect and consideration for others in your choice of postings, whether in words, images or videos. Repeated offenders may face the ignominy of being removed by the group administrator.

#7. Post at decent hours.
      No one wants to be constantly disturbed by chat alerts. It can be so annoying, especially if the alerts come in the wee hours of the morning. Not everyone can turn off their phone or put it in silent mode when they sleep, as they may have to be on the alert for emergency calls.

#8. Avoid one-to-one chats. 
      This is a GROUP chat, not a one-to-one exchange. Others may not be interested in your personal conversation or discussion. Take it elsewhere where you have more privacy.

The intention may be good and sincere, but after seeing similar images posted on all your chat groups every day, you start getting that feeling of surfeit.

#9. Limit 'Good Morning' images to one a day.
      Preferably the group administrator should do this on behalf of the group. Otherwise there will be a deluge of posts all wishing everyone 'Good Morning'! The same goes for inspirational images. Keep them to a daily minimum, unless your group's main objective is to inspire or support one another.

#10. Abide by the rules of etiquette.
      This is important if everyone is to benefit from being in the group. If any participant finds the rules ridiculous or stifling, he can always choose to exit the group voluntarily.

There is always the option to exit a group if you are not happy with it, and join another group that may appeal to you more.

NOTE: Before readers give a thumbs down to the above DOs and DONTs, note they are meant for professional, academic and/or official WhatsApp groups. For informal chat groups of family members, relatives and friends, anything goes. No rules apply, as the main objective is to keep in touch, share and have FUN! 

(Article by Lily Fu)

SENIORSALOUD 2015 YEAR IN REVIEW

2015 ended on a high note for SeniorsAloud with an increase in membership, newsletter subscription and online traffic to our blog and Facebook page. We were interviewed by the print media on several occasions, and had a number of our letters published in The Star, voicing our concerns about issues relating to seniors.

It was also a successful year of community service as highlighted in our previous post. With continued support from our members and friends, we hope to do even more in 2016 for the elderly in need of assistance.

Looking back, 2015 was certainly a busy year for SeniorsAloud. Here's a look at our 2015 calendar of events.

We know seniors enjoy taking family and travel videos, so we organized a workshop for our members in February. We were fortunate to rope in Alan Chai who has vast experience in producing videos to conduct the session for us at Wisma WIM, TTDI. Thank you, Alan! 

We collaborated with Janet Xavier in organizing GONG XI VALENTINE Tea Dance to celebrate Chinese New Year and Valentine's Day. Seniors love to dance and listen to 60s-80s songs, so we have included Janet's Sunday Social as a regular feature in our monthly newsletter. Where can you have good food, great music and friendly people at only RM35 (current fee)? Value for money!

Everyone who went for the Ipoh trip will tell you what a fabulous time we had. We had a guided tour of The Hakka Tin Miners Club, listened to a talk on Green Acres Retirement Village and were treated to Ipoh's speciality dishes. A big THANK YOU to our host, Total Investment Sdn Bhd, Ipoh.

Who could forget our second fun(d)-raising event 'GOLDEN MEMORIES'? The pictures above bear testimony to what a memorable night we had. Proceeds go towards helping the elderly in need.

Originaly planned for 27-29 Mar, but due to the 7-day national mourning period for Singapore's Founding Father Lee Kuan Yew who passed away on 23 Mar, Council of the Third Age (C3A) postponed the 50plus Expo to 15-17 May. A total of 38 members from SeniorsAloud and University of the Third Age went on the trip. 

These volunteers from SeniorsAloud helped to pack and distribute food packets to the hungry and homeless who came to collect their lunch.

Visit to Farmer's Market at Shangrila Hotel, KL to check out the organic produce on sale. 

We invited seniors who wanted to go for the Bersih4 rally but didn't want to go alone, to join us. SeniorsAloud carried two non-political placards to voice our concerns for our future

Members and friends who showed up for our Seniors' Hi-Tea at Citi Cafe, MidValley. Everyone received a copy of PRIME, Singapore's leading magazine for the 45+.  Did you know that SeniorsAloud is also represented in Singapore?

Our 2-in-1 event to celebrate UN's International Day of Older Persons - Laughter Yoga session with Karen Sze Tho,  and screening of "Memory as Resistance" with an introduction by the film producers Victor Chin and Chan Soong Foong. There was also antioxidant screening for participants conducted by Amy Ong.

We organized a second video workshop by Alan Chai in response to requests for a refresher and hands-on session. This time it was held at Room at the Top, TTDI. Feedback from the participants - two thumbs up!

Our last event for the year was our return visit to Kg Hakka, Mantin. Our group consisted of 18 adults and four children. We car-pooled for the 45-minute drive there. To show our support for Rakan Mantin's efforts to save the 120-year old village from demolition, SeniorsAloud made a small donation during our visit. Click HERE to read the Malay Mail coverage of their story.

The above are events organized by SeniorsAloud. As our members and Facebook regulars will tell you, we also promote and support events organized by other organizations and NGOs if they are of benefit to seniors. So all in all, there were plenty of activities to keep SeniorsAloud members busy the whole year long. We are firm believers in remaining active in our retirement years. That's one of the keys to a long and healthy life.

The SeniorsAloud Team worked hard behind the scenes to ensure the success of all our events.

SeniorsAloud has already lined up events and activities for 2016. To find out what they are, get a copy of our January e-newsletter. For members only. Not a member? Free registration at http://www.seniorsaloud.com/p/members-registration.html. 

GRANT A WISH FOR THE ELDERLY THIS FESTIVE SEASON

It's Christmas, the season of giving, not just giving to our family members and friends, but also to those less blessed than us. The best gifts are those that are meaningful, that light up the recipients' face and bring joy to their hearts. Indeed, giving to those in need shouldn't be restricted to festive seasons, but whenever the opportunity arises to help someone.

With Justin Cheah, project director of Kechara Soup Kitchen and Mr Liow Cheng Loon, 69. As a red IC holder, Mr Liow is not eligible for govt welfare aid, so SeniorsAloud will be covering the cost of cataract surgery for both his eyes.

Ever since we featured the latest beneficiary of our 'Grant a Wish for the Elderly' (GWE) on our Facebook page, we have received enquiries for more information about the project. We are only too happy to oblige.

Here are some past GWE recipients. A big THANK YOU to all our members, friends and supporters who have contributed in one way or another in making our community service efforts possible.

SeniorsAloud donated a Roland Micro Cube GX amplifier to The Happy Buskers in November.

We are firm believers in giving back to society. We believe that those who have received blessings in life should extend a helping hand to those who are less fortunate. We also believe in supporting organizations/individuals working for a noble cause.

Our first GWE recipient was widow and hawker, Mdm Lai Hon Yin who was diagnosed with terminal cancer. SeniorsAloud covered Mdm Lai's house rental for 10 months, so that her eldest son could complete his final semester in UM and find a job to support the family.  

Volunteerism can come in many forms. Not all of us can afford to donate money, but we can certainly give our time, our energy, our experience, our talents/skills to help the elderly who are in need. We can all make a difference in our own way.

Residents of Phyllis Care Centre in Sec 12, PJ were delighted to receive 14 sets of quality bed-sheets and bath towels to replace their threadbare ones. 

As a rule, SeniorsAloud prefers to contribute towards a specific cause rather than donate a lump sum to individuals or organizations for them to use it as they see fit. Here are more of our past community efforts.

SeniorsAloud donated RM2000 worth of food and medical supplies for victims of the East Coast floods in Dec 2014.

The installation of a CCTV costing RM3310 for Tong Sim Home for abandoned elderly enabled the home manager to better supervise the elderly in their care.

We ended the year with a small donation for the upkeep of Kg Hakka Community Centre so that the elderly residents and their families and friends can continue to hold activities at the centre.

If you think as an individual, you can't do much, then do support our events and fund-raising efforts. Together we can achieve more. We organize one charity drive a year. Proceeds are channeled to our community chest, and the funds used to benefit seniors in need.

A common sight in Pasar Seni-Kota Raya as well as in other inner city areas.

Look out for our upcoming community service projects in 2016, and do show your support for our annual fund-raising event next year. More details coming up soon in our January 2016 newsletter. Free subscription for members. Register at http://www.seniorsaloud.com/p/members-registration.html

Do contact us if you know of any senior citizens or welfare homes that require assistance. If we are able to help, we definitely will, regardless of race or religious backgrounds.