LETTERS: The Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) reported that 20 per cent of our population will be older than 65 by 2056.
As the life expectancy increases, more resources would be needed to pay for the food, shelter and medical bills of the elderly. These expenses are not small.
Therefore, our ageing society must start to consider other means to support themselves without having to trouble their children as they too have to face the rising cost of living.
If possible, use your knowledge or skills to generate income for your twilight years without having to ask for help.
We have read success stories of retirees writing a new chapter of their lives by doing new things or tasks.
For them life continues when others think their fruitful years are over. These are impressive testimonies of what the elderly can do when they put their heart, mind and soul into a new initiative.
Retirees have valuable life and work experiences, skills, knowledge and talent that can generate income to sustain them, but the government and society must create conditions that allow ageing individuals to continue contributing to society and have access to holistic physical activities, as well as health and mental care.
Companies must be encouraged to hire retired staff and senior citizens who are physically and mentally able to perform tasks.
On the other hand, no one owes us a living and we ought to take it upon ourselves to remain useful, relevant and significant and physically active to deter non-communicable illnesses.
We must age gracefully, either by being self-employed or to work for others.
In many advanced economies, senior citizens appear to be more self-reliant. For this to happen in our country, there must be strong support from the government, private entities, non-governmental organisations and communities.
Even people with disabilities can be self-reliant and contribute to society.
DR TAN ENG BEE
Kajang, Selangor
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times