INTERNATIONAL DAY OF OLDER PERSONS - JUST ANOTHER DAY ON THE CALENDAR

Happy Older Persons Day - if you are celebrating. In December 1990 the United Nations General Assembly designated October 1 as International Day of Older Persons. This year 2013 the theme is: "The future we want: what older persons are saying."

So what do older people want? Find out here.

As in past years, this day will probably pass quietly in Malaysia with few people aware of its significance. We celebrate Valentine's Day, Father's Day, Mother's Day, even Teacher's Day with gifts and special dinners, but Older Persons' Day? Never heard of it. Even if we have, who cares?

Sad, isn't it, this apathy towards older people.

Senior citizens in Singapore enjoying a day outing.

Today is supposed to be a day for us to acknowledge the contributions of older people. In countries such as Britain, Australia and Russia, the day is celebrated with a host of fun activities for senior citizens. It's their day and they take centre stage. It is also a day to raise awareness of the issues that affect older people in our society.

Source: Canadian Foundation for 
Healthcare  Improvement

Let me highlight a few of the challenges older people face. They are discriminated against when seeking re-employment. They have limited financial resources to cope with rising inflation and escalating health care costs. They live in cities that lack adequate elder-friendly facilities. The list goes on.

The government and policy-makers in our country, for example, do not give equal priority to the problems that confront older people.

Society as a whole view this demographic as 'unproductive', and therefore not worthy of investing money in. Philanthropists and companies doing CSR prefer to fund organizations looking after the welfare of children and animals. Old people are considered a 'lost' cause, with no ROI value. It explains why  the majority of senior citizens clubs and NGOs have difficulty raising money to fund their programs.

From public transport to housing, from healthcare to financial support, older people struggle to cope with living in a society that pays little attention to their needs.

In the words of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon,
"By 2050, the number of older persons will be twice the number of children in developed countries, and the number of older persons in developing countries is expected to double. This trend will have profound effects on countries and individuals."

Source: Independent Living Ireland

Our numbers are growing rapidly. Just pause for a moment and think of the ramifications an ageing population will have on society, and the economy. How prepared is the government for this eventuality?

I have posted this video a couple of times over the past two years. It deserves to be shared here yet again, and again till the message sinks in, till the urgency of the situation is felt by one and all. Ageing affects everyone of us. We all get there one day.

Robots that help the elderly with their chores
will soon be a common sight in Japan.

Japan and Singapore are already experiencing some of the effects. The Singapore government has spent millions on promoting active ageing and raising the fertility rate. Japan is coming up with innovative technology to help the elderly cope with activities of daily living.

Before we know it, the year 2021 will be upon us here in Malaysia. According to our National Statistics Department, that is when Malaysia will join the ranks of ageing countries. By then senior citizens (65 years and above) will make up 11.4% of the population, or 4.4 million people. That is three million more than in 2010! At this accelerated pace, and if the fertility rate doesn't go up in tandem, we will face the harsh reality of a shrinking working population having to support an ever growing older population.

Conferences and seminars on population ageing issues are held in Malaysia from time to time. But as long as proposals are put forward but not implemented, these events bring little long term benefits for the older population.

Check out the link to see what topics (and issues) will be covered. Registration is still open.

My apologies, folks, for painting such a gloomy picture, especially on this Day of Older Persons. The future doesn't have to be this bleak for us, if we can help it, if the government can help it.

Let's close on a more positive note with this video from HelpAge.

YOUR LIFE IS IN DANGER...

"Your life is in danger, consider yourself dead now..." This was the subject heading of the email that was delivered to Seniorsaloud email inbox last night. The contents were alarming (see below in blue) and would have given the recipient a sleepless night had it been a genuine letter.

Seniorsaloud has posted several scam letters on this blog before (see links below) as well as samples of phishing. Despite all the warnings about online scams, there will always be some folks who will end up losing their hard-earned savings to these unscrupulous con men and women who comb the net looking for gullible victims.

How you can tell it's a scam. Source: University of Rochester

Older women are easy prey. Why? Find out at
NBC News

Retirees, in particular, cannot afford to be swindled of their life savings. So take heed. NEVER respond to any email that asks you for money or for your personal data. No 'friend' would ever ask for money to be sent to them, and no bank or organization would ask you to divulge your account number or password online. Look out especially for emails that contain plenty of spelling and grammar errors - a sure giveaway that the emails are fakes.

The majority of scams target our feelings of sympathy (asking for money to help someone in distress), greed (notifying us that we have just won or inherited $1 million), and implicit trust in those in authority (requesting for our personal particulars). The latest type of scams, however, is aimed at causing fear in us. Please read the scam email below so you'll know what to do if you ever receive a similar email - IGNORE IT.

You have been betrayed!!! It's a pity that this how your life is going to come to an end as your death had already been paid for by someone who is very close to you from all investigations.

I have ordered 3 (three) of my men to monitor every move of you and make sure you are not out of sight till the date of your assassination.

According to the report I gets, you seem to be innocent about what you have been accuse but I have no business with that, so that's why am contacting you to know if truly you are innocent and how much you value your life.

Get back to me if you sure want to live on, ignore this mail only if you feel it's a joke or just a threat. Don't forget your days on earth are numbered, so you have the chance to live if only you will comply with me.

WARNING: Tell no one about this mail to you because he or she might just be the person who wants you dead, and if that happens, I will be aware and am going to make sure you DIE instantly.

I will give you every detail of where to be and how to take any actions be it legal or illegal, that's only when I read from you. You need to stay calm and act unaware of this situation and follow instructions because any move you make that is suspicious; you will DIE as your days are numbered.

The New Zealand government's Consumer Affairs Division has just published (June 2013) A Guide for Seniors to help them get online savvy. It contains excellent advice on how to protect themselves and their families against online scams. You can download it for free.

Please read these related posts too, and be informed.

BE VIGILANT AGAINST SPEAR PHISHING

LONELY AND DESPERATE? EASY PREY TO CYBER ROMEOS

WHO SAYS WE SHOULD DRESS OUR AGE?

Channel 4 recently premiered a documentary "Fabulous Fashionistas" that follows the lives of six very stylish women with an average age of 80. While many would find their sartorial taste outlandish for their age, few would deny their courage in breaking long-held code of dressing for older women.

Long grey hair on older women
can be beautiful. 

Conventional fashion rules say that if we are past our prime, we should dress modestly and conservatively. Good tastes dictate that we should not reveal too much of our wrinkled skin and sagging breasts. Loud bright colours draw unwanted attention, so our wardrobe should consist of shades of grey, brown and black.

As for hair, it is best to keep it short. Long hair if allowed to hang loose will only lend weight to the face, and add to the long list of body parts that are heading south. Long grey hair may also get you mistaken for a witch or an escapee from the nut house.

Well, these six style-blazers don't give a hoot to what others say or think about their fashion sense. They have made dressing up into an art form, and are enjoying every minute of it.
Meet these fashionistas. You can read more about them here. (All photos from Channel 4).

From left: Bridget, 75, Sue Kreitzman, 73 and Britain's oldest model Daphne, 85 

Above:Jean Woods was formerly Gap's oldest employee at 70. Now 75, she works at a boutique.
Below: Lady Trumpington, 91, and Gillian Lynne, 87.

If you are a fashionista wannabe, do check out this fashion blog for older women at Advanced Style. I stumbled upon it while googling 'Fashion styles for older women' after a trip to Germany in 2009. I was so taken by how trendy older European women were. They had such impeccable taste in clothes and shoes, well, at least those I saw in the city streets. Anyway, this blog was started by Ari Seth Cohen who writes in his profile that he "roams the streets of New York looking for the most stylish and creative older folks. Respect your elders and let these ladies and gents teach you a thing or two about living life to the fullest."



That's one of the best things about growing older. There is no need to impress anyone or please anyone. Today's active, independent women who are in their 70s and 80s enjoy a new self-confidence. They know what they want, they know what makes them happy, and they go for it!

We have our very own inspiring fashionista in Suzanne from Penang. Suzanne, 89, has an entire collection of batik cheongsams. With just a needle and thread, and some beads, she cleverly turns humdrum clothes into designer haute couture that she models for her blog at SuzanneTony. With her husband, Tony, 90, the couple gets my vote for The Best Dressed and Coolest Couple in Malaysia!

PENANG HILL REVISITED

Photo credit: http://asiaexplorers.com/ 

The last time I was up on Penang Hill was in 1971. I remember the ride up on the funicular train was slow and jerky. But the spectacular view was worth all the heart-stopping moments as the old train creaked precariously up the steep slope. Now one can make the same ascent in the safety and comfort of an electric air-con train in just seven minutes. Senior citizens get a 50% discount, and pay only RM4 for a round trip.

A section of the old train that is on display

The Swiss-made electric train costing RM73 million started
operations in April 2011

If you are expecting to see lots of tourist attractions on the hill, forget it. But if you are a nature lover or looking for some peace and solitude, Penang Hill is the perfect getaway for a restful weekend.

Looking out from the balcony of our bungalow. There used to be a statue atop the stone pedestal.

My girlfriends and I did just that recently. We booked our accommodation at one of the old colonial era bungalows on Penang Hill. We didn't know much about the place except that it was built in 1888 by some Catholic brothers as a place of worship. None of us had ever stayed in a place this ancient, and we thought it would be quite an adventure.

Front view of the bungalow, with the chapel on the left. 

As the place is used mainly for religious retreats, the facilities are basic and spartan, but clean and comfortable enough. Meals are home cooked by the caretaker's wife. The couple has been looking after the place for the past 22 years, and they have plenty of interesting stories to tell.

Another view from the bungalow. There are several similar colonial bungalows dotting the slopes.

If you love old places, and if you enjoy nature walks, you would definitely want to plan for a short stay on Penang Hill. Here are some photos to share.

I love this flight of stone steps leading down to the bungalow.

We were rained in on Day 2. On Day 3, we were greeted not only with a burst of sunshine, but also a rainbow of colours, from the purest of white to the brightest of yellow. The garden became a paradise for those of us with cameras.

I have never seen so many types of leaves and shades of green as I did on Penang Hill.

Passion fruit but not quite ready for plucking.

Fruits, like these berries, grow well in the cool hill weather.

These are not Malaysian grapes! 

The rich variety of flora in the garden is simply amazing. 

Purple bougainvillea. If you love photographing flowers, you will be clicking away in rapture! I had to make do with my small digital camera. 

A little over-exposed. but the freshness after the rain is evident.

Can easily pass for daffodils to the ignorant like me! If you know the names of all the flowers and plants in the photos, please help me identify them. Thanks!

Nothing beats the natural fragrance of uncut flowers.

Not sure if these are red flowers or red leaves! 

Just one of many species of orchids in the garden.

This used to be the canopy walk. Now it's closed to the public for safety reasons.

As we were leaving, a mist slowly enveloped the hill rendering further photography pointless.

So there it is - a small sampling of what my camera captured during our stay on Penang Hill. If you would like more information about the place, just send me an email at seniorsaloud@gmail.com

'NO' TO ANOTHER SKYSCRAPER , 'YES' TO ANOTHER PUBLIC PARK

Source: From the book "Building Merdeka" by Lai Chee Kien

The older ones among us who lived in Kuala Lumpur in the 1960s and 70s will remember Merdeka Park (Independence Park). It was the only park we had in the city then that was centrally located and easily accessible to all. The older folks would gather there in the early mornings for tai-chi sessions, parents would take their children there to play, and young courting couples would enjoy romantic strolls there in the evenings.

Merdeka Park was a much-loved public landmark along with other landmarks in the vicinity like Merdeka Stadium, Stadium Negara, Chin Woo Stadium and Victoria Institution.

(Above: Photos taken from https://www.facebook.com/aparkforallpeople)

Visitors to the area today will no longer see Merdeka Park with the famous Mushroom where people could take shelter from the hot sun or heavy rain. Gone too are the sundial and the rock sculpture which were popular backdrops for countless photos. The area once occupied by Merdeka Park is now the site of the proposed 118-storey Menara Warisan. As if the city didn't already have enough skyscrapers! Currently the tallest building we have in the country is the 88-storey Petronas Twin Towers, which is far from fully occupied. Why in the blazes would the government approve the construction of a monstrosity like Menara Warisan which is likely to turn into another white elephant?

Warisan means 'heritage'. Yet how ironic it is to demolish a true heritage that is Merdeka Park, built a year after the country gained independence, and replace it with a gleaming new tower that has no historical background to boast of. How would this building benefit the people? Or is it meant to enrich only corporate bigwigs and those with political connections?

New York's famed Central Park - a park for the people, not for the elite few

I recently attended a people's dialogue session at KLSCAH. Speakers included heritage conservationist Teoh Chee Keong, and MP for Serdang, Dr. Ong Kian Ming. Both spoke on why we must protect our public space, and preserve our national historical heritage. I particularly liked Dr Ong's proposal that if Merdeka Park were to be re-developed, it should be turned into an even bigger and better park similar to Central Park of New York. It would be a park with facilities for everyone to enjoy. It would be the city's premier green lung.

That is exactly what India is planning to do in New Delhi - 'create a mammoth iconic park that would rival New York's Central Park as a refuge from urban chaos'. How far-sighted are Delhi's urban planners, and how utterly lacking in vision are our city planners!

What Kuala Lumpur really needs is another park. KLCC Park is not exactly a people-friendly park. It has too many rules and regulations, and limited facilities.

Dr Ong Kian Ming on 'The Value of Public Parks'

Why we should oppose the Menara Warisan project

So what can you and I do to protect our public space? How can we stop greedy land-grabbing corporations from misappropriating property that belongs to the people? Here are some action plans for the concerned rakyat:

For more pictures and comments on the issue, go to http://ptmnmalaysia.wordpress.com/isu-menara-warisan/

You can also add your voice and support for citizens' groups like Rakan KL and Pertahanan Taman Merdeka Negara

It's up to us ordinary concerned citizens to voice our views and be heard. The pessimists among us will sigh, shake their heads and say 'What's the use? We are no match against the bulldozers that will be sent in sooner or later. Our pockets are too small to fight the big fat wallets of the powerful GLCs."

Malaysia's first PM from 1957-1970

I would say to these pessimists, if our Bapa Malaysia had thought for even a second that it would be pointless to seek independence from our colonial masters, that they would never surrender one of their prized colonies, Malaysia might still be under British rule today. Fortunately for us, Bapa Malaysia never lost hope.

If we don't keep a watchful eye on our national heritage buildings, don't be surprised to see them disappear one by one in the near future, beginning with Stadium Merdeka, followed by Stadium Negara, then Museum Negara, Parliament House, and other independence era buildings. One day there will be no traces left of Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj's legacy as far as historical buildings go, except in our grandchildren's history textbooks and in old photographs in the museum.

THE RAKYAT WANT A SENTRAL PARK,

A GREEN LUNG IN THE CITY CENTRE.