Elderly run the show at the annual U Live Symposium
Yesterday’s symposium included a wellness workout as well as talks and workshops on food. PHOTO: WEE TECK HIAN
SINGAPORE — As the Republic’s population ages, endowing seniors with opportunities that allow them not only to leverage their skills but also help other seniors cope with ageing could be the way forward.
And the labour movement is walking the talk this year by putting 15 seniors, aged between 57 and 80, in the driver’s seat to plan and manage a symposium for seniors to stay healthy and updated on trends in areas such as re-employment.
This year’s U Live Symposium, organised by the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), was coordinated entirely by the seniors, whose responsibilities ranged from seeking out speakers and partnerships to overseeing the venue and volunteers.
It is hoped that they will be role models for other seniors in staying active.
The annual event, now in its seventh edition, was launched at Downtown East. It is being held over two Sundays, up from one day last year. It will focus on seniors’ needs in the areas of wellness, technology and finance, and is expected to draw 1,600 seniors.
Speaking to reporters at the event, NTUC deputy secretary-general Heng Chee How said having seniors run the symposium showed the “developmental potential” of such platforms.
What began as an effort to initiate activities benefiting seniors has built a “community of activists” who are interested in the initiative and can leverage on their skills and experience to “make things happen for themselves and for others”, he said.
“This whole spirit of mutual care, mutual help comes out very strongly in an exercise like this,” he added. “I think it’s very good.”
Personal assistant Patricia Ng, 62, who is part of the organising committee, said that as “one of them”, the committee members knew the common issues faced by seniors and could tackle them through the symposium.
Mr Heng noted the “whole-of-government” approach towards ageing, which involved entities such as the People’s Association’s Active Ageing Council. “(In) many parts of Singapore, the pieces are coming (together),” he said.
He added that it was good to link one another’s networks to boost the supply of activities for seniors as well as the demand for these events.
Yesterday’s programme focused on ways to stay healthy through nutrition, with talks and workshops on topics such as using food as a tool to relieve joint pain, as well as activities such as a healthy-food fair.
The symposium continues on Sunday, with a focus on imparting technological and financial knowledge, for example, by guiding seniors on using social media and mobile applications, as well as tapping technology to find jobs. Attendees can also buy the latest senior-friendly gadgets.
Mr Jek Kwok Kwong, 68, another organising committee member, said seniors must stay up to date, as most jobs require the use of technology these days. “Otherwise, we’ll be lagging behind,” he said.
Agreeing, Ms Ng said those who left the workforce long ago were fearful of mobile phones because of the wide array of apps.
“With this (symposium), they’ll be more assured to use the phone or ... computer to go on the Internet,” she said, adding that they could also stay in touch with family and friends, especially those based overseas.
