This morning, I was reading Business Times, 25 Oct 2007; and here’s some interesting information. In Singapore, 20% of our population will be 65 years or older by 2030. In Asia, this number is 1.2 billion by 2050.
The Silver Industry has identified four growth segments; and they are healthcare and wellness, travel and leisure, financial products and services, and assistive technology. New keywords are smart homes, easy laundry machines, auto power-off stoves, and elderly friendly devices.
Hmm, we are really a part of this picture. Do you know what is assistive technology?
Terence Seah
Assistive technology- handbars, grips for staircase, bathrooms, toilets. Oh no, no!! not so soon lah. My legs are still strong. ha ha.!!
ya lah…so scary, cant imagine being so invalid, thats why we must be active & involve in elderly friendly devices ?..hhhmmm…can we forget the word elderly?…nobody is old in SHC lah! hehe!
“The Silver Industry has identified four growth segments….healthcare….”
True, miners of silver need healthcare, so are workers mining coal.
Assistive technology goes beyond caring for the elderly.
As this damned world gets more globalised, people becoming more mobile and affluent, slog longer hours, they wont hv time for their kids, and maids getting prettier wont be of much help.
So robots which can play Dan’s type of bedminton, allow suckling so that kids will grow up healthier, and double up as tuition teachers will be a boon to parents.
Think hard, think in that direction and yonder lies an untouched diamond mine.
Tim, Charles, Norlinda,
The Business Times article reported that the Silver industry need not reinvent new ideas; instead only innovation is required.
I guess we will all continue to need walking sticks, wheelchairs, doctors and robots. Wouldn’t it be nice if we can determine how long we will live. I love to live until 70. My friend Vincent Khoo in Bangkok is 72, I think! And he is as fresh as a cucumber. Only problem is he is not internet savvy, and no one can contact him.
The closer I read the article on the Silver Industry, the more I see myself surrounded by convenience gadgets; and protected by all kinds of annuities and health protection packages.
This may be a dream; but very often I wonder if we can spend our Silver years in a more natural environment without all the comfort, the modern world offers. I think I am still dreaming. We want to live longer and enjoy every minute of our Silver years. More travel, more line dancing, more chess, more swimming, more gym workout, more nice food and more internet. Hmmm …
Terence Seah
Hi Terence,
You’ve said it! Assistive technology are actually just convenience gadgets which will help us do things alot easier without much effort and I’m sure when we get to that stage, any kind of help would be a blessing for us.
Anyway, we should all try to think of age as just a number and the bigger they get, the more valuable they should be as quoted by Elizabeth Taylor. Have a great week-end everyone! Best wishes, Lisa
Terence,
Vincent’s cucumber may be as fresh as new but I supposed if it’s a good cucumber, it shd be cool, not fresh.
Ok, you seem to enjoy a bit more serious chat in this thread so i shall be serious.
For a silverhaired to see himself “surrounded by convenience gadgets; and protected by all kinds of annuities and health protection packages” he has to have the money. Otherwise, what surrounds him will be dishes at foodcourts for him to collect, wash & stack away.
So money talks, and it talks louder and louder as we make ourselves the Monaco of the East.
Therefore, it was nice of you to sum it up as a dream, and wondered more realistically whether we shd instead spend our silver years in a more natural environment without all the comfort the modern world offers.
As we grow old, feeble & frail, we do need help. But if we work on our bodies now – better if it was earlier – and when we retire to live in a less stressful environment, maybe we dont need the convenience and support assistive technology offers.
Wind back a thousand years…..no mrt, no cars, no internet and our fore-parents obviously had not the conveniences of today which we take for granted, but they survived, procreated, the population proliferated and we are all here today.
Anyhow, whatever assistive technology which, if caught on, will become addictive to the silverhaired, will only make the young richer as invariably, they will be the ones who will come out with & promote their ideas & inventions. Things will then become even more expensive for the old to buy.
Hi Terence
I’m sure you notice that all the hype and blather about the Silver and Gold industry are geared about how to make money from the legions of well-heeled “oldies” in the coming years.
Travel agencies want to sell “senior” travel; insurance companies entice with annuities and “beyond 85” returns; health product companies and plastic surgeons promote botox and fountain-of-youth elixirs; hospitals and surgeons are waiting in the wings to extend your earthly stay; finally, retirement homes… with motorised wheelchairs, Nintendo golf and mahjong, all-you-can-eat buffets await the rich and rickety.
I hope that SHC will go beyond all this commercialism and use our resources to promote health through excercise and our games, walking and cycling; wealth through sharing investment advice; and social/mental wellbeing through our various meetings & activities.
Yes, we can and should beat the expected “ageing” route and “silver-lining” the pockets of all these commercial interests.
Hi Kenneth,
Yes, the Business Times article strikes me prominently because of the involvement of big organisations wanting to get a part of the SilverHairs pie. Singapore is taking this issue big, and in my view, that’s ok.
But, what interest me was “This is all abot looking at SilverHairs” from the other side of the mountain, very much from the commercial aspects of aging. And, this is made attractive, judging from the businesses that will benefit from the baby boomers. Is there a way for SilverHairs to benefit and enjoy our later years, without having to cough out more for comfort, gadgets and security?
In my mind, I see we have a a case of “fighting what is inevitable and coming” vs “the desire to remain as undisturbed as possible, and living the years slowly and naturally”. Personally, I object to spending more as we retire.
Terence Seah
Ok, ok, on a more serious note, modern aids are helpful and indeed necessary to allow us live a more comfortable and mobile life. Looking at them, I believe a lot of the gadgets available in the market today could be improvised given a little creativity. Costs brought down substantially. After all when we are old and not so rich , status becomes less important. We learnt to be practical. An expensive chrome stainless steel grip bar is just a bar for gripping. Why not a plastic covered wood pole fasten to the wall? Extrapolate from here and you see what I mean.
Good health, peace of mind, friends should be some of our ageing objectives and I see SHC club becoming more and more popular. Thanks to Terence and all who make it what it is today.
If I can hold of the motorised bicycle, I will
surely join Yew Kwong and his gang at the East
Coast. Good chance to be ahead of the pack and to look back at the strugglers. hee hee..Philip
Hi Philip
Tks 4 seeing US as a gang of super fast riders but actually we are not. We always ride leisurely n cyclists are divided into groups of long, mid n short distance plus learning.
If ur intention is 2 create a challenge 2 a race, I wld proudly says “U r on”. We hv a few female members who will take on U.
Come n join us at P Ubin nx mth. Guarantee U will come bck 4 more.
Hi,Yew Kwong. The last time I wrote a bicyle, I
mean the manual type, was more than a decade ago.
So I don’t think I am ready yet to join you and your happy gang. Give me some time.
Thanks and best wishes to the cycling group ..
Philip
hi Philipong….
come on ,be sporty…there will be many who also dont really cycle that well..but they come to hv fun & mingle with others
If we girls can cycle..why not you,im sure u not that ‘old’,sori!…only a decade ago the last time u cycled…its no problemo lah..
If not, u join the walkies lah :)
btw..all bicycles are manual, motorised are for teletubbies!..hehe..
Terence / Administrator
HELP !!! Pls kill it quick…. something sneak in to SHC website.
Hi Susan,
It’s a spam attack. Thanks for being alert. It’s now killed.
Guess it was from a male, trying to sell sex improvement drugs.
Terence
Hahaha!!
Obviously he’s catching on to promoting his business to the seniors of SHC!
And, Terence, do not for one moment think that companies have your interest at heart; they’re commercial interests, period.
Vultures will be descending upon old and lonely folks with lots of disposable funds and befriending them with sweet talk and making them spend on things they don’t need. So we have to be careful.
As for assistive technology, it is good that these will be available if we need them. If I ever need one, it would be an ivory walking stick, not a discarded Mary Poppins’ parasol from some void deck.
Joy,
I guess there will always be innovations, when it comes to SilverHairs years. Inevitable. An ivory walking stick would be enough. In future, the walking stick probably will be able to sense heart beat, provide position signals as to where the user is and etc, etc. Unfortunately, new technology costs money, and this adds to the costs of SilverHairs living. It just doesn’t end.
Looking at the insurance and annunity policies available today, it looks like we have to keep adding more costs to sustain a longer life. I was hoping to retire simply, but now I have to work longer.
Tim, it’s nice to be surrounded by new gadgets and security plans. And, plenty of money.
I hope we just don’t have to add more costs to our lives. It’s like chasing a constantly moving golfball. We hit it, and we follow it.
Terence Seah
“An ivory walking stick would be enough”.
Yes, Terence, it may be enough but no, that’s cruel so that’s bad.
Hold the elephant by the tusk. That way, the elephant gets to keep its ivory and you get to walk. Very stable walk…….more likely for Mt Faber to fall than for an elephant to.
Collect yr annuities at 85?
Well, even the well-fed & well nursed Tan Seri Tun Sri died at 90 (93 if you add the gestation years).
Better let the money be lost in the S’Marine way – circa $300 million – at least you might find someone to hoist the flag of blame.
“It’s like chasing a constantly moving golfball. We hit it, and we follow it”.
So, the ultimate answer is in there. If the golf ball stops moving, you dont hv to chase it.
Hit the ball into the pond. That’s it.
Finally, you were kind to say that we are surrounded. I am more brash but honest. We are ambushed & trapped.
Hi,Norlinda. Ref your comments at #13, as I
told Yew Kwong, I will try to join you happy people when I am ready. Right now the riding may be senget here, senget there, so not so nice. Also too bulky to wear the American football type of padding and helmet. But probably can try to turn up next year when I will have more time on Saturday afternoons. Meantime have fun cycling, be happy and continue the laughter. These are some of the ingredients to remain young and slow down the ageing process. What the mind perceives the body follows through – all the time.
Cheers…..Philip
helo Philip..
ya lah…i just kidding only..go practise yr skills.. b4 joining us..if not so malu we girls speed & left u toink!toink!..hehe
Just now Caroline & me went briskwalking at east coast beach,after jalan2 we makan nasi lemak,rockmelon & icecream potong with biscuits type…sedap!..alamak, Rene u missed the fun!..u makan trail yesterday sedap till cant join us..hhhmmm
Carly..thanks for your company & frenship & ‘little talk’..im so glad i joined SHC(thks to Susan & Ah Nee for dragging me!haha)..if not i didnt even know both of u are actually my nebors!
Hi all,
From the paid internet cafe at “Dead Sea” Sun Resort City, China about 2 hrs. away from Chengdu ( 10C. – very cold )
Spend some time indoor at the salt pond.Your whole body can float easily because of the very high salt content.From an ancient underground salt lake and the water is pumped into, filtered and heated to 43 C in this resort.
Zhujiagor is indeed a heavenly paradise with beautiful sceneries on a sunny day ( VEry Lucky, the next morning a rainy day) .
Seeing is believing. And also get to experience falling snow and to see the heavy snow on the mountain tree tops near the Immortal Ponds. It seems like Christmas. 5C. ( freezing cold )
2 nights stay at the new Juihai Paradise 5 star hotel was indeed a “unique” experience. A huge indoor live garden,,tall live trees with fountains complete with swans and ducks and “ancient” China hotels in the background all covered with a huge canopy of glass so that you can see the beautiful scenery outside Zhujiagor 360 degrees with a huge indoor heated swimming pool and spa and other facilities.
Till then and miss the sunny Spore weather which we must not take for granted.
Steven Chan
Hello Steven,
So you are enjoying yourself at “Zhujiagor”, I heard of this place is so beautiful, with waterfalls and lakes…..don’t forget to snap all the scenic pictures for us to see. Btw how long is the journey before it reach the scenic “Zhujiagor”, is the road very bumpy, wonder if there are other means of transportation beside the coaches?
Ah Nee
Hi Ah Nee/others,
Zhujiagor has been declared an UNESCO heritage is one HEAVENLY place on earth you will NEVER regret visiting as part of your travel plans.
And it depends on luck whether the weather is bright or foggy esp during autumn.
Why choose autumn ?
From late Oct to early Nov is the BEST time to see
Zhu.. becos, the leaves of the maple/gingko trees and other decidous trees has changed colours from green to different shades of red,scarlet maroon, red,reddish brown, many shades of yellow and gold thus adding beauty to the surrounding mountains sides interspersed with different varieties of evergreen fir, beech and casuarina trees.
Just returned SAFELY from delayed departure, Silkair at 02 00 hrs and feeling very tired and sleepy Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
The journey from Chendu to Zhujiagor took us 11.5 hrs by coach thru treacherous winding steep mountains and bumpy roads by coach,
And Zhujiagor and surrounding Chendu is very rich in Tibetan culture
:- dances,music, art, culinary dishes,houses,clothings etc.
Some passengers threw out 1/2 way b4 reaching “Zhujiagor” which means 9 Tibetan Villages and the neighbouring country is Tibet.
Once in a while you will see a huge boulder at the side of the roads, a grim reminder that it can roll down at anytime from the steep barren mountain sides.
Thank God no one was hit.
As for trptn, NO other means of transportn unlike going to Mt.Ermei and only 1/2 way up by coach and the other 1/2 by cable car. Very Foggy and freezing cold ave. temp is 3C. brzzzz. And so resulted in poor “foggy” unclear pictures but still LUCKY because if the roads are thickly covered with heavy snow, no coach will be allowed to drive up due to safety concerns.
Manage to take a 1 very beautiful shot of the 10 Buddha heads and 3 elephants statues perched on top of the Golden Temple.The next second,fogginess caused by moving mists sets in.
Esp the trip to Immortal ponds, the walking wooden slippery tracking steps are steep and moist with thin snow and many elderly or senior citizen or obese passengers are advised not to walk up the mountains.
No worry, they are strong able bodied “porter” males who will carry you sitting on its primitive canvas beds with two wooden poles and both men are at each end to haul you up and down the mountains for a fee of 200 RMB.ie S$40.
So better start training hard at our monthly SHC walk exercises,cycling and gym workout and swimming to keep ourselves in “tip top” condition becos without good health, travelling could pose a problem.
As China is so huge, each tourist place takes at least 3 to 4 hrs by coach.
Worse still the irritating morning calls between 4.30pm to 6 pm daily. And during this period of betwn 4.30pm to 6pm in cold weather is the BEST time of sleep and you will be rudely “AWAKENED” by the irritating morning calls ,luggages out and morning breakfast buffets at unearthly hours.
Very LUCKY and EXCITED to see and took beautiful shots of various poses of giant panda bears in bright sunlight.
The next day, slightly rainy and foggy and if that will to happen, the pandas will hide in their enclosures and will not come out to feed and play. And so no photos of pandas can be taken.
Every lunch /dinner meal is Sichuan food.Hot and spicy with lots of chilli oil on their veggies, soya beans and fishes.
Very little chicken or prawns were served but plentiful of duck meats,pork legs with full of fats ,omeletes and sweet pumpkin paste, cookies and hot chilly cucumber and fried Shanghai greens with an unique taste of peppercorn that will numb your tongue with a “spicy hot” fragrance.
Last day free and easy, we walk the entire length of Chengdu town for shopping , but cannot find any Thai food and so has to settle for fast food KFC which has a blank taste unlike our better served spore style “HOT and SPICY”
Most of the shops sell winter woolen clothings which are not suitable for us to wear in hot humid Singapore.
Steven,
I have heard so much about “Zhujiagor”, HEAVENLY place on earth, beautiful scenery and mountains, serenity water falls and lakes, what else to describe…sigh…I am holding back to visit this place becos I have motion sickness and can’t take the winding and bumpy roads by coach. Wow! looks like have to risk your life in order to reach this HEAVENLY place. Hope that with the latest technology, may be in near future we can take a direct flight to “Zhujiagor”. he…he…he…still hoping and dreaming… :)
Ah Nee
Hi Ah Nee,
(…Wow! looks like have to risk your life and limb in order to reach this HEAVENLY place, Zhujiagor abt 5 000 ft above sea level.
The Bdha famous universal
saying “Life is Uncertain,Death is Certain.
Flying by air is indeed a great RISK not to mention falling boulders due to natural weathering processes and the risk is worth taking to see this HEAVENLY Paradise.
Hopefully in the near future,they have tele- transportation like what you see in the Startrek movies and that will spare you hrs. from your motion sickness and bumpy journey.
Good night.
Hi Ah Nee,
V. Good news for you.
Just met a friend who has been to Zhujiagor lately and he told me that you can fly from Chengdu in 2 hrs. time.
That will spare you from motion sickness and bumpy
rides.
So do not missed out this HEAVENLY paradise as part of your travel plans.
“Seeing is Believing”
Thank you Steven, this is indeed good news for me, will include “Zhujiagor” as one of the places to visit next year. Wow! “Seeing is Believing” , can show me some of the shots you took at “Zhujiagor”. Will I see you this coming cycling at P.Ubin? If so, you bring along your photos to show us. :)
Ah Nee
Neely,
Wait for me, I will be in “Zhujiagor” anytime $$$ is available for 2008, if not we will plan to scale “? ?” “??” “???” “???” and few more. The best is still “Huangshan”.
Wanna start climbing Bukit Timah Hill beginning of 2008?
Cheers
Rene
Rely,
So excited, we can go together with some other SHCians next year. Why not? shall we include mountain climbing as a monthly event besides cycling, walking, dancing, makaning…….. :)
Neely
Hey Rely & Neely
I want to join you gals at Jiu-Zai-Gou too….hv been waiting for this opportunity to go with someone long time lah…let’s plan ok ? Better do it before our legs can’t take us…he..he…
Suly
Hi Ah Nee, Rene and Suzhang,
I am V.HAPPY that all three of you are planning to visit Zhujiagor next yr.
…(.Better do it before our legs can’t take us…he..he… )exclaimed Suly.
Suzhang, you are Absolutely
Correct.
Don’t wait till you have to sit and move along in the wheel chair to see Zhu..
Bring Xtra $$$ cash.
A lot of options( not in itinerary )
You have to pay extra for “SPECIAL” transport coach fees to Zhu.. monopolise by the Zhu.. authority that will costs 480 RMB ( ie = S$96 ) during peak period , normal is 240RMB,for 1 day transport to Zhu with a Zhu tourist guide.
Your own grp tour coach is NOT allowed to enter their area.
***** One of the Optional Shows.
Do not miss the INSTANT “Changing Face” Opera at Chengdu.
With just a flick of the actor or actress head right in front of you will reveal another mask without using their hands or any objects.
Wonderful and Spellbound !
Another flick would reveal another mask.This goes on until the face is revealed.
Even famed HK actor Andy Lau wants to learn their trade ‘secret’ but was rejected.
***** Another option is to visit the Giant Panda Research Centre at Chengdu.
Yes I will bring along some of the photos of Zhu..and the itinerary by S.A. for your info to our next exciting Pulau Ubin Cycling Marathon.
If time permits, I will be posting some of the photos of Zhu.. in my Steven’s Photo site to share with other SHCians the Amazing beauty of this HEAVENLY Paradise.
Thanks Steven for your advice.
We hv so much plan going places, so let’s hope our dream will come true next year, if everything works out….he..he…
Yeap, be looking forward to seeing your photos and hope to hear lots from you about your heavenly experience…
Cheers,
Susan
Sure.Why not?