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Professor Yow Wei Quin’s commentary on finding calm through walking and renewal through movement, featured on Shin Min Daily News.

Professor Yow Wei Quin, Head of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS), writes about being financially savvy and ageing.

Professor Yow Wei Quin, Head of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS), writes about seniors experiencing the satisfaction paradox.

Professor Yow Wei Quin’s commentary on birthdays and how it affects different people.

Professor Yow Wei Quin continues her commentary on how singing can help improve mental well-being, boost cognitive function, and promote social connections among the elderly.

Professor Yow Wei Quin’s commentary on how singing can help improve mental well-being, boost cognitive function, and promote social connections among the elderly.

Singapore Health Services Group collaborates with the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) and the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) to develop a white paper on population health to help seniors improve their quality of life and maintain physical and mental health.

A while ago, I met an elderly lady on a plane — a vibrant and energetic grandmother. The flight attendant gently held her hand and slowly guided her to the empty seat next to me, kindly reassuring her that once we landed, staff would assist her in disembarking, collecting her luggage, and helping her through customs. I noticed she was traveling alone, so I struck up a conversation with her. She told me that she was nearly 90 years old but still often flew alone for 3.5 hours to visit her children who lived abroad. I was deeply impressed by her independence and strong will.

The Mid-Autumn Festival, a traditional Chinese holiday, symbolises reunion and embodies hopes for family togetherness, harmony, and happiness. Many believe that older adults are more susceptible to sadness during this time, as celebratory activities can evoke memories of lost loved ones and intensify feelings of loneliness. Even when surrounded by family, seniors may feel isolated due to the remembrance of deceased friends and relatives. With retirement or transitions to more dependent living situations, their social circles often shrink, further increasing feelings of loneliness.

My friends are more than a decade from being “aged”. While they may be more comfortable scanning QR codes to find menus or place orders, many seniors like my parents prefer the “human touch” to navigating apps. They are also the ones who would rather tolerate the long queues in banks than managing their funds on the phone.