Results from the perception and attitudes towards ageing and seniors survey (2013/2014)

• Main Authors: MATHEWS, Mathew, STRAUGHAN, Paulin Tay
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University 2014
• Subjects: Singapore; aged; survey; senior citizens; Asian Studies; Community-Based Research; Family, Life Course, and Society
• Online Access: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/soss_research/2220; https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/context/soss_research/article/3477/viewcontent/wp22_1510151.pdf
• Institution: Singapore Management University

While discussions on ageing previously centred on dependency ratios and healthcare infrastructure, there has been a growing attention to the other aspects of growing old, such as its social and emotional dimensions. There has also been a move in recent years to rethink the construct of ageing an frame it in a more positive way.In this paper we document some of the results derived from the Perception and Attitudes towards Ageing and Seniors (PATAS) survey completed in early 2014. These results delve into respondents’ beliefs about achieving successful ageing — what it constitutes how it can be achieved and respondents’ appraisal of their preparation to age successfully. We also document respondents’ experience of age in terms of quality of life,integration within the community and their experience and attitudes towards ageism. Perceptions about lifelong learning and employability, especially what motivates older persons to consider such pursuits, are also reported.The results from the survey showed that there is a high level of consensus on what senior respondents believed constituted successful ageing. Being happy, healthy, physically active, financially independent, and having close friendships were very highly endorsed. Most respondents believed that family support, information about what to expect as one ages, and information on know how to take care of their health and ensure sufficient savings would help them to age successfully.In terms of their experience of ageing, most respondents were optimistic.Eight in 10 respondents felt confident that their needs would be taken care of as they aged. They also enjoyed a good quality of life with nearly 70% indicating that they often looked forward to each day; and rarely or never having felt that things were out of control in their lives. Most seniors reported that they had people in their social network who could provide them with a range of assistance. Most of their social activities tended to be with their families, with considerably less involvement in community activities.Respondents were generally positive that those who were older were well respected in society and they seldom experienced prejudice or discrimination because of their age.Respondents were motivated to engage in lifelong learning so that they could better manage everyday life and keep up with changes. Seniors were also motivated to learn so they could understand themselves and others better.While attitudes were generally positive about the benefits of lifelong learning,there was comparatively less awareness and participation in lifelong learning programmes. There was much consensus among seniors that working after retirement was positive. Around 90% of respondents agreed that continued employment would help them stay financially independent, socially connected, make friendships, give them a sense of self-worth and enable an active and productive life. Voluntary work was viewed by about eight out of 10 respondents as a good way to stay socially connected, and lead a meaningful life. However, less than half of the respondents reported that they would consider volunteering in the next few years.Perhaps the one key highlight from this study is how positive survey respondents are about growing old. In terms of public policy, the challenges are now focused on how to actively engage older Singaporeans so that the third age can be reconstructed to reflect their tremendous potential for involvement in the community. We make several recommendations for future programmes based on results from the survey.