Organised by: Co-Sponsored: Malaysian Healthy Ageing Society
AGING ACTIVE AMONG SENIORS LIVING ALONE IN SINGAPORE Leng Leng THANG, National University of Singapore Emily LIM, Fei Yue Community Services, Singapore
Discourses on living alone � social isolation � a risk factor for seniors attempting suicides and suffering from mental health problems � seniors who live alone are more vulnerable than those who live with others (Larsson and Thorslund, 2002; Klinenberg, 2002; 2005, Chou and Chi, 2000, You and Lee, 2006)
Active Aging � “Active aging is the process of optimizing opportunities for health, participation and security in order to enhance quality of life as people age.” (W.H.O, 2002) � Questions: How do seniors living alone achieve an active life in old age? What is important for them in aging actively? How will the presence of institutions such as senior activity centres help to promote participation and active aging?
Percentage of resident population aged 65 and above Year Percentage of Resident Population (Aged 65 and above) 1970 3.4 1980 4.9 1990 6.0 2000 7.2 2010/2011 9.0/9.2 Source: Singapore Department of Statistics Key Indicators on the elderly population.
Older persons in Singapore 2010-2030 2010 2020 2030 No. of persons 65+ 458, 000 858, 000 1,394,000 Proportion (%) 9.0 15.5 24.1 Median Age (yrs) 37.6 43.1 47.7 Dependency ratio 12 22 38 (Old) Source Singapore DOS (2010) and UN data http://daya/un/org
Ethnic composition of older population (2010) CHINESE MALAY INDIAN OTHERS Total 100% 74.2 13.4 9.2 3.2 population 65+ (9%) 100% 83.7 9.1 5.9 1.3 Male 36.5 4.1 2.9 0.7 Female 47.1 5.0 3.0 0.6
Living arrangement of persons aged 65 and above in Singapore (in percentage) Living 2000 2005 2010 Arrangement\ Year Alone 6.6 7.7 8.2 Couple only 13.9 17.4 19.4 Spouse and 36.5 (73.8%) 34.9 (69.4%) 35.7 (66.7%) children Children, no 37.3 34.5 31 spouse Other elderly 1.2 1.3 1.3 Others 4.5 4.1 4.4 Source: Department of Statistics (2006). General Household Survey 2005, Statistical Release 2 – Transport, Overseas Travel, Household and Housing Characteristics, p 45. Singapore Census of Population (2010)
Living arrangement of Older persons aged 65 and above in Singapore (in percentage) YEAR POPULATION 1990 9000 2000 15000 2010 28000 2030 (est.) 83000 Source: MOH
Method and Data � Qualitative Study of seniors living alone (2009- 2011) - one-to-one semi-structured in-depth interviews (N=120) Male Female Total Chinese 30 30 60 Malay 15 15 30 Indian 15 15 30 Total 60 60 120
Profile of Seniors Living Alone � Average age of senior ‐ 75.1 years old � Either single or widowed (71.6%). � 1 ‐ room HDB rental flats (74.2%). � Primary or No qualification (80.8%) � How do they age actively? - examine through their engagements in physical activities, social network and religion, and the role of senior activity centers in enhancing active aging.
Physical Activity � Seniors living alone who exercise (N=82) 100.0% 90.0% 42.9% 80.0% 48.6% 54.2% (9) 70.0% (13) 60.0% (18) 50.0% 40.0% 61.9% 30.0% 48.6% 45.8% 20.0% (13) (18) (11) 10.0% 0.0% Chinese (N= 37) Malay (N = 21) Indian (N = 24) Male (N= 42) Female (N = 40)
Physical Activity � Seniors were aware of the need to keep an active lifestyle, exercise and take care of themselves (although not all exercise regularly). � Examples of exercise they participated in: � Simple body stretching exercises at home � Long walks around their neighbourhoods � Attend exercise classes conducted by seniors activity centres � Utilize gym equipment at seniors activity centres
Why they exercise? to maintain the ability to walk - An important condition to enable them to live independently. - : loss or deterioration of ambulatory movement= “closing of lifespace” (Kong et.al., 1996) � Shows the loss of mobility as a concern among the seniors. � Being mobile (able to walk) allows them to move about, socialize and maintain their independence which will in turn affect their well-being and self-worth. � - not be a burden to others.
Physical Activity == active to maintain “healthy legs” � “(Healthy legs) are very important to me. I find it very troublesome and cumbersome if I need to be on a wheelchair, like some whom I have seen.” (69 year old, CM18) � “The most important is to have a healthy pair of legs…. That’s because if your body and legs aren’t healthy, you can’t really go out, and thus have limited freedom.” (65 years old, CM05)
Social Network � Seniors living alone who have friends (N=72) 100.0% 90.0% 80.0% 52.6% 58.3% 58.8% 70.0% (10) 60.0% (10) (21) 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 47.4% 41.7% 41.2% 20.0% (15) (7) (9) 10.0% 0.0% Chinese (N= 36) Malay (N = 17) Indian (N = 19) Male (N= 31) Female (N = 41)
Social Network � Social network was found to be an important source of help for seniors living alone. � Friends offered companionship, emotional support, financial and care support in times of need. � Friends could be their work colleagues, ex- colleagues, schoolmates and neighbors. ==especially important for neighbors to provide instrumental, social and/or emotional support.
Religion Religious beliefs of seniors living alone Buddhism 18.3% (22) Taoism 1.7% (2) Catholicism 6.7% (8) Christianity 16.7% (20) Hinduism 14.2% (17) Islam 32.5% (39) No religion 10.0% (12)
Religion � Religious communities that seniors belong to help them to stay active. � Participate in activities organized by religious communities. � Provide assistance to seniors. � Social and emotional support from friends of religious community. � Having a religion as an emotional support.
Seniors activity centres � Seniors living alone who visit SACs (N=80) 100.0% 90.0% 80.0% 50.0% 55.3% 56.3% 70.0% (9) 60.0% (13) (21) 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 50.0% 44.7% 43.8% 20.0% (17) (13) (7) 10.0% 0.0% Chinese (N= 38) Malay (N = 26) Indian (N = 16) Male (N= 37) Female (N = 43)
Seniors Activity Centres � Gender differences • Female seniors participated more at the seniors activity centres. • Males seniors prefer to socialize at informal places (e.g. coffee shop).
Seniors Activity Centers � The role and impact of seniors activity centers in leading seniors to lead active ageing lives. • A place to gather and socialize • Build friendship • Cultivate hobbies/interests • Encourage learning • Promote volunteerism
Conclusion � Significant for seniors living alone to stay active – to maintain independence � One’s social network and religion important in enhancing active aging and providing social and emotional support. � The presence of seniors activity centers give the seniors a place for them to socialize, build friendship, spend their time, volunteer and a sense of contribution to the community. � IMPORTANT – to recognize that seniors living alone are by comparison more vulnerable group– need to reach out to them and promote ways to age actively for better later life well-being.
THANK YOU Contact: lengthang@nus.edu.sg
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