Senior Citizens Fellowship - Health Talk

01

The Challenges of Ageing

Singapore’s Ageing Population

What do you think are some challenges or concerns that seniors face?

Challenges Seniors Experience Loneliness

^ProportionofSingaporeanseniorsaged60andabove

SOS said that more suicides were recorded across all age groups and especially among the elderly, who had the biggest increase.

Suicides among those aged 70 to 79 climbed from 30 to 48, a rise of 60 per cent from 2021.

The older I get, the less sleep I need.

As older adults are frail, I should avoid exercising so that I don’t get injured.

Older adults can’t learn new things.

Loneliness and depression are normal

in older adults.

Dementia is an inevitable part of ageing.

I’m just waiting for my time to come.

Old age is a gift.

What the bible says about old age

Old age is a Reward

“ Gray hair is a crown of glory. It is gained in a righteous life.”

~ Proverbs 16:31

Seniors are Wise

"Wisdom belongs to the aged, and understanding to the old."

~Job 12:12

It is Temporary

“Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”

~ 2 Cor 4:16b- 17

God Loves You

“Even to your old age and grey hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you.

I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”

~ Isaiah 46:4

The Redemption of our Bodies

Creation

God created all things and it was good.

Fall

As a result of sin, man has to face the pains of a failing body.

Redemption

Christ ’s death & resurrection gave us eternal life and hope.

Restoration

We will receive a new body free from pain and death.

How is Old Age a Blessing?

The just shall flourish like the palm tree, shall grow like a cedar of Lebanon. Planted in the house of the Lord, they shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall bear fruit even in old age, always vigorous and sturdy, As they proclaim:

"The Lord is just; our rock, in whom there is no wrong."

~ Psalm 92:13-16

1. Impart Wisdom

" Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance. Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behaviour, not malicious gossips, nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored . Likewise, urge the young men to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us."

~ Titus 2:2-8

2. Bless the next generation

● Remain a vital part of the church by making significant contributions (beyond financial) to its ministry.

● Find new ways of serving others, even when health and physical strength decline.

● Serve as mentors and role models for the benefit of succeeding generations.

Super Seniors of the Bible

Abraham

75 years old when God called him to go to the Promised Land

Moses

80 years old when God called him to lead the people out of Egypt

Daniel

85 years old and still trusting God to deliver when thrown into the lion ’s den

Anna

84 years old but still worshipping God in the temple even as a widow

Developing Holistic Wellness

Physical Wellness

1. Sustained activity

● Regular physical activity helps to:

Strengthen muscles

Improve balance

Increase mental alertness

● Adults aged 65 and above need about 150 min of moderateintensity activity ( 30 min a day, 5 days a week

● Activities may include:

Aerobic exercises (e.g., brisk walking, jogging, swimming)

Muscle –strengthening exercises (e.g., weightlifting, push ups, sit - ups)

Balance activities (e.g., standing from a sitting position or on one leg)

Physical Wellness

2 . Healthy diet and nutrition

●

A balance diet helps to:

○ Meet nutrient needs (e.g., getting enough protein to maintain muscle mass and calcium to strengthen bones)

○ Reduce the risk of dietrelated diseases (e.g., high cholesterol, diabetes and heart disease)

Physical Wellness

3. Adequate sleep

● Tips for better sleep:

○ Keep a regular bedtime routine

○ Make sure your bedroom is quiet, dark, cool and comfortable

○ Keep naps short and earlier in the day

○ Reduce blue - light devices (TV, handphones) 1 – 2 hours before sleep

○ Limit high - caffeinated food and alcohol

○ Try something relaxing (e.g., listening to soothing music)

Mental Wellness

● Mental wellness is the ability to regulate your emotions and cope effectively with life’s events

● Learn something new (e.g., a sport, a hobby, art & craft projects, musical instrument, language, computer skills) Exercise your mind (e.g., mahjong, chess, puzzles, boardgames)

● Get into the flow (A state of being where you are fully immersed in what you are doing, leading to a sense of contentment and focus)

● Practice relaxation techniques (e.g., mindfulness exercises, meditate on God’s word, deep breathing, self - care)

Social Wellness

● Social wellness is a sense of connection and support system

● Good relationships help to:

○ Build a sense of belonging and self - worth

○ Create opportunities to share experiences

○ Provide emotional support and allow you to support others

● Take time to be with your family or arrange to meet with friends you have not seen for a while

● Connect with others and engage in meaningful conversations

● Join an interest group (e.g., gardening, dance, baking, singing)

● Volunteer at a community centre , hospital/ home etc.

● Be a mentor/ coach to others

Vocational Wellness

● Vocation comes from the Latin word “vocare ”, meaning to call

● It involves fulfilling:

○ Contributing your unique skills and talents towards activities you find meaningful and rewarding

○ Learning new skills you can share with others

○ Developing new interests and hobbies

● How to gain vocational wellness?

○ Consider how vocational wellness will look like to you

○ Seek out opportunities to participate in activities, clubs or groups that may interest you

○ Do what you like in a way that benefits yourself and others

Older adults contribute to society as experienced professionals, caregiver, mentors, teachers and volunteers. Leisure - time vocations in the arts and through hobbies maintain vocational skills.”

“Work that utilises a person’s skills while providing personal satisfaction is valuable for society as well as the individual. Participating in the paid and unpaid workforce means maintaining or improving skills, and helping others .

Spiritual Wellness

● Refers to the connection of something greater than yourself, and having a set of values that guide your actions

● Continue spiritual disciplines (e.g., reading the Bible, prayer etc.)

● Do not give up meeting together with the Church and fellow believers

● Share the Word and your testimonies through evangelism

● Invest in the growth of younger believers through discipleship and mentoring

● Enjoy and marvel at God’s creation

● Practice gratitude (“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” ~ 1 Thess 5:18)

Spiritual Wellness

● Reframe challenges and struggles ( “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trial of many kinds, because you know the testing if your faith produces perseverance.” ~ James 1:2 )

● Make meaning of losses ( “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is again.”~ Phil 1:21, ““Where, O death, is your victory? Where O Death, is your sting? ” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the low. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” ~ 1 Cor 15:55 - 57 )

● Release your fears and concerns to the Lord ( “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” ~ 1 Peter 5:7 )

● ( “.. We take every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ ” ~ 2 Cor 10:5 )

Closing Thoughts

Discuss!

1. Which aspect of wellness do you find most challenging currently?

○ Physical

○ Mental

○ Social

○ Vocational

○ Spiritual

2. What is one area of wellness you would like to focus on improving and what do you want to do to age actively?

Words of Encouragement from TPBC’s seniors

“Ageing is part of the life cycle. We learn to finish it well in our faith and believe that we will be in the place of Heaven God has prepared for us after our journey on earth ends.”

~ Male, aged 65

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

(Philippians 1:6)

~ Female, aged 64

“Grow old gracefully together as a community.”

~ Male, aged 63

“You are wonderfully made by God and are very precious gems. Let us grow old gracefully and purposefully for God's glory.”

~ Female, aged 64

What is one thing you look forward to in your journey of

ageing?

Let’s check out!

Resources – Counselling

● SAGE Counselling Service (Free)

● https://supportgowhere.life.gov.sg/services/SVC - SCS/sage - counsellingservice

● Provides counselling to older persons 50 years old and above, and/or their caregivers, as an avenue to help address their personal, social, or psychological challenges.

● O’Joy Limited Counselling for Older Persons Programme

● Provides counselling and clinical case management to older persons 50 years old and above, and/or their caregivers, to improve their mental well - being and resilience to cope with life's challenges.

● Hua Mei Counselling and Coaching Programme

● Provides counselling and coaching sessions to older persons 50 years old and above, and/or their caregivers, to help them cope with life's transitions and emotional distress.

Resources – Activities

● Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) – Active Ageing Centres

o https://www.aic.sg/care - services/e - care - locator - basic

o Drop - in social recreational centres for seniors



E.g. MWS Wesley Active Ageing Centre - Jalan Berseh

(Address: 25 , Jalan Berseh , # 01- 142 , Singapore 200025 )

● Active SG - Active Health

 https://www.activesgcircle.gov.sg/activehealth/seniors)

● For other schemes & services in Singapore, check out:

https://supportgowhere.life.gov.sg/categories/seniors

The only way to live well in old age is to live it in God.

(Linda Zaglio, age 101)

Thank you!

Do you have any questions?

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