TAKE A STAND AGAINST AGEISM

Negative stereotyping of older adults often leads to discrimination against them. 

If you are 60 and above, you are likely to have encountered instances of ageism at one time or another. Not only are older people discriminated against by banks and other financial institutions, but also at the work-place and in the job market. Indeed, older people face age discrimination on a daily basis. Bus drivers yell at them, shop assistants ignore them, medical professionals don't take their pains and aches seriously, EPF stops giving you interest on your retirement funds when you reach 75, ...the list goes on. Even at home, elderly parents find that no one listens to them. Their advice is often not sought for family decisions. They are head of the family only in name.

All this is based on negative perceptions and stereotyping of older people as frail, senile and unproductive, and a drain on the nation's welfare resources.

The New 80s - still active and certainly still able to contribute to society. What more those in their 60s and 70s?! Don't write off older adults as useless and past their productive shelf life.

And this is despite the fact that people are now living longer and healthier, thanks to advances made in medicine, science and technology. 60 is the new 40, and 80 is the new 60. They may have reached retirement age, but are still capable of contributing to society if given the opportunity to work or serve.

POWER and MONEY speak louder than age. Older people in positions of influence and authority, and have vast financial resources at their disposal can still command respect everywhere they go. These are the blessed ones. They can take care of themselves in their old age. It's the rest of the ageing populace that we should make a stand for. They are the voiceless ones, the silent majority who feel disadvantaged and powerless to fight against ageism.

But change is inevitable. The number of older persons is growing and this silver wave can't be stopped. (I am loath to use the word 'tsunami' as it gives a negative connotation to the rise in the elderly population.)

By 2035, the number of people aged 60 and above will have accounted for 15% of the total population in Malaysia. The country is heading towards ageing country status. The government is aware of what needs to be done to meet the demands and challenges of an ageing population, but implementation is painfully slow. The private sector has yet to fully acknowledge the impact this shift in demographics will have on the work force and on the economy.

The time will come when all of us will have to wake up to the reality that global ageing is here to stay. It is in the interest of everyone, especially the younger generation, to ensure that discriminatory practices against older people be removed. Any policies that uphold the rights of older people will ultimately benefit the young of today as they too will grow old one day. To take this one step further, when a country takes good care of its elderly population, everyone benefits.

The government wants to encourage active, independent and healthy ageing. So do all older people. For this to be successful, any form of discrimination against older people must be removed, and every bit of help be given to enable them to continue working and supporting themselves for as long as possible.

So kudos to the United Nations for taking a stand against ageism and making it the theme for International Day of Older Persons 2016.

For more voices against ageism, go to HelpAge International

OLDER WORKERS CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Who can afford to retire these days? With the high cost of living, the slowdown in the economy and the depreciation of the ringgit, our retirement savings will be depleted long before we are gone. It's time for a Plan B, C or D to supplement our retirement funds. It's either back to work, start a small business or invest a portion of our savings.

If you have no head for business or investment, the best option, arguably, is to get a job. However this is easier said than done. Jobs that are suitable for older workers are limited. But a bigger challenge facing retirees planning to return to full or part time employment is age discrimination. With multinational corporations, SMEs and retail businesses laying off staff in the hundreds and thousands, retirees have better luck striking a 4-D lottery than getting re-employed.

Freddie Yap

That is why Mayflower Tours deserves two thumbs up for giving two of its employees, Ivan Ho Eng Kiang, 67, and Mohd Shapiei bin Zakaria, 68, the opportunity to continue working with the company. Both had already reached retirement age.

Says Freddie Yap, Head of Coach Operations with Mayflower, "The Gardens Mall had approached us to provide a shuttle service from Mont Kiara to The Gardens Mall, including a conductor and a driver. We immediately thought of Ivan and Shapiei. Both men had just the right qualifications and qualities for the job.

Ivan, a former tour guide, knew exactly what the job entailed. As for Shapiei, his vast experience as a former driver with a tour and travel company made him an obvious shoo-in for the job."

Billy Pih

Fortunately for Ivan and Shapiei, The Gardens Mall had no issue with having two senior citizens running the shuttle bus service.

"To us, what matters most is excellent customer service and good work ethics," explains Billy Pih, The Gardens Mall Customer Service Manager. "As the passengers are mostly expats and locals residing in Mont Kiara, we needed someone who could speak good English, is familar with the needs and expectations of the passengers, and upholds professionalism in his work. Ivan fits the bill. The same with Shapiei. It would be hard to find a more reliable, responsible and patient driver than Shapiei. He is very careful on the road. The safety of the passengers is paramount to him.

What do both Ivan and Shapiei have to say about their work?

Ivan Ho

Both men take their job responsibilities seriously. "I enjoy my work. I would be bored stiff doing nothing, just sitting around at home," says Shapiei.

"Me too," chips in Ivan. "My children have no objections to my returning to work. In fact, they say it's good for me. Keeps me physically and mentally active. And self-supporting too."

As part of his daily work routine, Ivan welcomes the passengers on board, reminds them of the schedule for the day and even throws in suggestions on what activities they can enjoy while at The Gardens Mall and MidValley City. No other shuttle service provides a conductor quite like Ivan.

Shapiei, on the other hand, prefers to focus on his driving. Soft-spoken and mild-mannered, he is a direct contrast to Ivan, but together they make a great team.

Now eight years down the road, Shapiei still enjoys driving the shuttle, and Ivan still relishes taking good care of everyone on the shuttle. He finds seats for the elderly, helps young mothers with their strollers, and others with their shopping bags. Mont Kiara residents who use the service have nothing but high praise for both men.

Mohd Shapiei Zakaria

Retired school administrator, Chan Ng Moi, has been taking the shuttle for the past three years. "The service is excellent. The bus is clean and comfortable. Ivan is friendly and courteous. He connects well with the passengers. As for Encik Shapiei, I feel safe knowing he is behind the wheel. He is such a cautious driver. I have never seen him speed or lose his temper. This is very important as there are elderly people and children taking the shuttle daily."

Indonesian expat, Lovi, echoes the same sentiment. She uses the service regularly with her husband. "It's so convenient. This morning we took the 10.00am shuttle, did our grocery shopping at the supermarket in The Gardens Mall, and returned to Mont Kiara on the 11.35am shuttle. We are able to plan our shopping trips according to the schedule because we know the shuttle is always on time."

When pressed about the company's hiring policy, Pih has this to say: " We don't discriminate on age. As long as the candidate possesses the right work experience, is in good health and willing to work hard, we will recruit him. The right person for the job must also be well-groomed."

Adds Yap, "Having the right attitude is equally important. Older workers must be willing to learn, adapt to change and accept instructions from younger management staff."

Orderly queuing to board the shuttle at The Gardens Mall. 

To sum up,  here's the take-home message from my interview with the four gentlemen. Seniors who are contemplating rejoining the work force should take note of these tips. They will stand you in good stead the next time you apply for a job.

• be flexible
• learn to keep up with technology
• upgrade your skills
• stay relevant to the changing times
• respect your bosses regardless of their age
• uphold work ethics
• don't make unreasonable demands
• be a team member

Footnote:
Other shopping malls in the Klang Valley also provide shuttle bus services. But The Gardens Mall shuttle service stands out in terms of safety, reliability and customer satisfaction. It deserves a 5-star rating. I should know as I use the service regularly.

For those new to the service, here's some info regarding The Gardens Mall shuttle service.  It is complimentary. The route covers Mont Kiara, The Gardens Mall at MidValley City and KLSentral, with three trips a day, 365 days a year. Pick-up and drop-off point is next to Jeeves Dry-Cleaners in the Isetan wing of The Gardens Mall.

(Article by Lily Fu)

GETTING READY FOR RE-EMPLOYMENT

If you have retired for a few years and are now seriously contemplating getting back into the work force for whatever reason, the odds are probably stacked against you in securing the job you want. Once you hit 55 and above, you will encounter age discrimination in the job market. That is the harsh reality of life. Not only will you face stiff competition from younger job applicants, there is also the question of qualifications.

University degrees obtained in the 1960s cannot compare with those obtained today which are so much more specialized and more relevant to the particular job specifications. In the late 1960s, when I was an undergrad in the University of Malaya, the Faculty of Arts at the time offered limited courses in subjects like History, English Literature, Geography, etcetera, almost similar to SPM subjects! Now UM is offering degree courses in Environmental Studies, Media Studies and Township and Urban Planning Studies, just to mention a few. Undergrads today are spoilt for choice when it comes to selecting majors.

The same with professional qualifications. A diploma in secretarial studies awarded in the 1960s will probably not equip you with the skills needed in the modern office of today. For one thing, the typewriter is now replaced with the keyboard, and nobody takes shorthand anymore. Office correspondence is increasingly going paperless, and video-conferencing is gaining popularity over boardroom meetings.

So what does all this mean?

You need to upgrade your skills so that you will remain current and relevant. Knowing how to use the computer and the latest office software programs is a necessity. Keeping up to date with industry news and trends is vital if you want to ace the interview. 

Make sure everything on your cv (resume) is true.

As for your cv, do update it, and try to keep it to one A4 size page. Omit mention of anything that is older than 10 years unless it is relevant to the job specifications. As for your personal photo, make sure it is less than a year old. Avoid glamour photos. You don't want to shock your interviewers when you show up looking nothing like the sweet young thing in the photo. 

Whether young or mature job seekers, the same dress code applies. For more tips, click here.

Which brings us next to your interview attire. It is safest to dress casual but smart. Ladies, avoid fashion trends, but don't show up in frumpy auntie clothes either. No chunky jewelry, heavy make-up and badly colored hair. Guys, the same rule of casual smart applies. A neck-tie is fine, but a coat is too formal for Malaysia and Singapore, unless you are applying for a senior management position. You might even make the interviewers feel under-dressed if none of them are wearing a coat! No jeans or T-shirts, please. Make sure your shoes shine. Look confident and poised. Older adults love to talk and share their stories, but keep that to social gatherings, not at interviews. Keep your answers to the point, and if asked to elaborate, stay within the topic.

Having said that, you do have some pluses that might clinch you the job. Your wealth of experience is one of them, that is, provided you are seeking re-employment in the same industry that you retired from. Older workers are known to be generally more committed, more patient and more loyal than younger workers. They don't job-hop, ask for emergency leave frequently or indulge in office politics.

Be prepared to make some adjustments. For one, be prepared to take a slightly lower pay than your last drawn salary. Two, be prepared to swallow your pride as you may be working under a much younger 'boss'. Three, don't expect the same employee benefits you enjoyed previously. This is a different company, and you are considered a new staff recruit. So don't make the mistake of demanding this and that when you haven't even got a toe in the door yet!

Most important of all, ask yourself if this job is really what you want. You must enjoy your work, whether it is full time or part time. Remember, at age 50+, you don't want to stress yourself out by dragging your feet to work. Your take-home pay may boost your retirement savings and take care of the daily essentials, but it should not put your mental and emotional health at risk. It is not worth it. There are other options to explore if you need to grow your nest egg.

For more about re-employment of older workers, click here.

Seniorsaloud regularly receives queries from companies seeking retired persons for specific job vacancies. We shall post them on our FB page, in case some of our readers are interested. 

All the best in your job-hunting!

EMPLOYERS STILL RELUCTANT TO HIRE OLDER WORKERS

Ron Akana is 83, and still going strong as a flight attendant with United Airlines.
(Photo: New York Times)

At an age when he should be enjoying his retirement, Ron Akana, 83, still derives joy from his work as flight attendant with United Airlines. He is silver-haired, wears bifocals and has been with the airline since 1949.

This hasn't always been the case. Back in the 1960s, air stewardesses had to retire when they reached the age of 32 or when they married or became pregnant. They were discriminated against not only for their age but also their gender. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 changed all that.

Today, more than 40% of the roughly 110,000 flight attendants in the United States are 50 or older. Less than 18 percent are 34 or younger. (The New York Times 17 March)

In Asia, most major airlines have done away with the upper age limit requirement. However, there are still a couple that continue to impose age restrictions on hiring flight attendants. The following information is taken from AirAsia website for flight attendant applications (highlight added). Note the emphasis on youthful good looks.

Absolute Essentials

Male/Female (Malaysian)
Age: between 20 and 35 years old

Attire:
Gentlemen- Office wear, be smart and stylish
Ladies - Office wear, strictly skirt knee length only full make-up, look stunning

Malaysia Airlines:

Requirements:

• Malaysian citizen aged between 18 to 30 years as of interview date.



Straits Times Feb 25


Whether we like it or not, and regardless of mandatory rules, ultimately, the hiring company has the perogative to reject older job applicants. Older adults are still at the mercy of employers when it comes to re-employment.

The exceptions are those who have skills, knowledge or experience that are highly sought after. Take Hassan Marican, 60, for example. He was featured in the previous blog post. He has been getting offers from blue chip Singapore companies. And there is Bobby Ng, 64, watch specialist who was offered a two-year re-employment contract by The Hour Glass when he turned 62 two years ago. He has worked on the creations of over 50 luxury brands of watches during his 15 years with the company.

From Straits Times April 10; Newsletter Singapore's Ministry of Manpower (MOM)

Point to be taken: Develop a passion for what you do that can be translated into valuable skills and expertise that companies are willing to pay top dollar for. They won't care if you are 70 or 80. Just make sure you are still fit and in good health. When you have reached that level, you can practically name your price.

BANK SAYS NO TO RETIRED CREDIT CARD APPLICANT

The Straits Times 24 Sept. (Click on image to enlarge.)

Familiar? If you are retired, and thinking of applying for a credit card, forget it. Retirees and pensioners in Singapore have long complained that banks practise age discrimination when it comes to approving credit card applications.

Whenever a complaint like this surfaces in the print media, the banks will issue a public statement denying such a discriminatory practice. But the above letter in today's Straits Times (24 Sept) is proof that any denial by banks is merely a PR damage-control exercise.

It is a similar story with banks in Malaysia. The irony is those who default on credit card payment are not retirees. In an article in The Star "Shocking reasons why Malaysians are living beyond their means" (22 Sept), the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association (FOMCA) discovered that on average 41 Malaysians are declared bankrupt EVERY DAY, mostly due to credit card debts. What's more shocking is most of these defaulters are below 40 years old, and they do not care about the consequences.

Many young people hold multiple credit cards. Banks are ever ready to offer them even more credit cards.

Despite such statistics, banks still discriminate against retirees. They don't welcome people who don't have a fixed income from employment. You can produce a portfolio of all your income-deriving assets and proof of a healthy retirement fund, but banks remain unconvinced.

Well, their loss is our gain. They are helping us spend less on shopping at the malls and saving more for our retirement.
Related article:

Credit card discrimination against retirees

GETTING OUR PRIORITIES RIGHT

Calls for help. Is the government listening?

Of late there has been a spate of letters in the papers lamenting the lack of financial assistance for retirees and pensioners. Marie Lee's letter highlights the many difficulties seniors face in their retirement. This is not something new, but reading some of these letters, you can feel the desperation and frustration underlining these pleas. But are the relevant authorities taking note?

Giving a Rm100 voucher to senior citizens to go shopping for provisions is but a publicity exercise to make the government look good. Not that they are not appreciative, but it's only a one-off gesture. There has to be a sustained program of financial aid. I have disabled friends who receive only Rm300 in monthly welfare aid. They tell me it's barely enough to cover utilities, let alone food and shelter. (Pic: The Star)

On the other hand, we read about the billions that have been siphoned off from the public coffers through corrupt practices or that have gone down the drain through poor, short-sighted investments. It is painful to read about how some ministries are squandering away taxpayers' money.

Take for example the recent announcement that the government is considering purchasing 10 Eurofighters that cost Rm3 BILLION each. What are they thinking? Why is there a need for the latest in combat aircraft? We are a small country with no known enemies. Who would want to attack us? Let's hope this preposterous idea remains nothing more than just a pipe dream of the Defense Minister.

Unless you are drawing a pension of at least Rm1500 when you retire from the civil service, your pension won't be enough to meet your living expenses, especially if you are the sole income-generator in your family. The majority of pensioners, numbering 557,033 in 2007, (probably close to 600,000 by now), are on the lower salary scales, and trying to make ends meet on monthly pensions of less than RM1000. Bear in mind the poverty level is RM720.

The worst hit are retirees from the lower and middle income group who are either self-employed or have worked for the private sector. Their EPF savings alone are not enough to meet their financial commitments as well as cover daily expenses for the next 20 years assuming they live to 75.

Those in the 60s age group are caught in the middle between having to support their children and taking care of their elderly parents, with hefty tuition fees on one hand, and high healthcare expenses on the other. There's also their own insurance premiums and housing loans to pay as well. That's enough to bring on a heart attack!

This group of retirees are not eligible for government aid. They have difficulty finding re-employment. Most companies still practise age discrimination when hiring staff. Going into business isn't that simple when you lack capital and the banks won't give you a loan. They consider you a high risk, again because of your age.

With the cost of living escalating, surviving the "golden years" may require us to look outside the box for that elusive pot of gold.

NO SCHOLARSHIPS FOR RETIREES

Here's another personal encounter with age discrimination.

Early this month I heard that UniSIM was offering a Master of Gerontology course commencing this July. It was the first university in Singapore to do so. I was excited as for the past two years I had been looking for just such a course of study. A post-graduate degree in gerontology would definitely add credibility to my writings on Seniorsaloud, and open doors to new career opportunities.

As a strong advocate of life-long learning, I was eager to register for the course. Classes would be held on alternate weekends at the Clementi campus in Singapore. The modules covered areas that were familiar to me. The entire course could be completed in one and a half years. Students could start with the 9-month compulsory course leading to the Graduate Diploma in Gerontology. They could then decide whether to continue with another nine months of elective courses leading to a Master of Gerontology. The flexibility of the course structure suited me perfectly.

My Seniorsaloud card which I always refer to as my PASSION card.

The only hesitation I had was over the fees - S$15,408 for the Graduate Diploma, and S$30,816 for the Master degree. There was a 20% concession for applicants aged 60 and above. That would certainly help retirees thinking of registering for the course.

Then my mother had a fall.

I watched incredulously as the hospital bills kept escalating, and the savings kept dwindling. That started me on an online search for scholarships.

To my utter disappointment. I found that every foundation that offered post-graduate scholarships had a maximum age limit for applicants - not more than 30 or 35 years.

Age is a deterrent to older applicants for scholarships.

Fine, I can accept that companies consider scholarships as investments, and that it makes more sense to invest in younger people, simply because they can get more lifelong mileage out of a 30-year-old than a 60-year-old. But older students are more committed, and bring with them a wealth of life experiences that would contribute richly to the class dynamics and to the learning process. This is particularly so with gerontology - the study of the ageing process and the problems of the aged.


Sometimes, when you're older, you really have to go the extra mile to compete with the younger folks.

There shouldn't be a cap on upper age limit for scholarships just as there is no age limit placed on university admission. I am sure the members of scholarship selection committees are themselves in the 50+ age group. Surely they could be more supportive of older adults returning to school again. And haven't they heard that 60 is the new 40? Why must it always be about ROI?

I have at least a good 10 years of working life in me. At present, one in 11 Singaporeans is aged 65 and above. By 2030, it will be one in five. With the population ageing rapidly in Singapore and across the region, there is an urgent need for qualified gerontologists. I know I make a darn good one.

Click here to find out more about careers that involve a knowledge of gerontology. (Source: Mississippi State University)

The closing date for application is coming up on 31 March. I am applying the Law of Attraction and hoping that the universe picks up my request and respond. Who knows I might find a letter in my (e)mail box with an offer of scholarship or sponsorship for the Master of Gerontology course!

In the meantime, I shall resort to buying a lottery ticket of two...

ENCOUNTERING AGE DISCRIMINATION AT THE BANK

My mother hasn't been discharged yet, but every few days, the hospital would contact me and request for a RM8000 top-up. So far, the cost of her 12-day hospitalization, angioplasty and hip surgery has exceeded RM31,000. She has at least another 4-5 days to go before she can go home. I dread to receive the final bill.

Yesterday I was at the bank on what I knew was a 'mission impossible' - to ask for a raise on my credit card limit so I could pay for each hospital top-up. No harm trying, I thought. Just as I had feared, the bank imposed conditions that I couldn't meet because of my age. It was all too familiar, as I was given the same conditions when I tried to apply for a second credit card last year.


What were the conditions? They wanted me to submit my latest income statement. Hello, I'm 63 and retired. I haven't been in full-time employment for years. They also asked for a copy of my FD accounts. The amounts I have in my FDs are embarrassing, and for my eyes only.

Doesn't it count that I have never been in credit card debt, or any debt, for that matter? I have a sparkling clean record, and an AAAA rating on my integrity. But I guess the banks are not impressed by such pristine track records. They can't impose a fee on me for late payment or charge me interest on bank loans or overdrafts. In short, I'm not considered a good customer.


The bill I received on 16 March - this is only a sub-total of page 1. Take a closer look at the most costly items. (Click on image to enlarge.)

All this means I have to get a banker's cheque made out in favour of the hospital. The hospital does not accept personal cheques. And if the costs keep escalating, as they definitely will, I'll have to visit the bank 2-3 more times to get the cheques done. What a hassle!

And that's not the only case of age discrimination I encountered of late. More in the next blog post.

Related Post:
Credit Card Discrimination Against Retirees

OLD AND DISCRIMINATED AGAINST



The headline says it all. (Source: ST 14 Feb)

Most children don't like old people, with the exception of their grandparents, of course. Neither do banks, and they show it by discriminating against retirees and pensioners who have problems applying for credit cards and housing loans.

Insurance companies also fall under the same category. They are reluctant to accept or renew policies for those above 60, unless the latter are prepared to pay higher premiums.



The latest group of people shunning the elderly are - maids! The current shortage of maids from Indonesia means that Filipino maids, especially those in Singapore, are able to dictate their terms of employment. And looking after frail old folks is certainly not something that appeals to them. (Pic: Not all elderly couples are as fortunate as this couple, both 86, who have maids to look after them. Source: ST)

Sad, isn't it, to be discriminated against because of old age.

CREDIT CARD DISCRIMINATON AGAINST RETIREES

Source: Straits Times

Over the past weeks disgruntled readers, mostly senior citizens, have written to the Straits Times complaining about being discriminated against when applying for credit cards. I can empathize with them as it too happened to me several years ago when my credit card application was rejected by Public Bank. It was my first encounter with age discrimination, and my first bitter taste of a loss of self-esteem. I was left with no choice but to apply for a supplementary card under my daughter's name in Singapore and my other daughter's name in Malaysia.

Once you hit retirement age, banks assume you are no longer credit-worthy. Overnight you become persona non grata and considered a credit risk, never mind that you may have an impressive share portfolio or healthy FDs with the banks. What is of paramount concern to them is that applicants must have a steady monthly income.

Younger people have hardly any savings and habitually run up credit card debts. Yet they are able to apply for multiple credit cards just because they have a regular job, whereas retirees with sizeable savings and investments are considered a financial security risk. How absolutely ridiculous!

The media focus on this issue has put banks on the defensive. DBS, OCBC, UOB, HSBC and Standard Chartered have reiterated that they do not discriminate against elderly credit card applicants. Maybank says elderly applicants are eligible for a 'secured credit card' provided they have at least S$10,000 in fixed deposits to cover any credit card debts incurred.

The banks can say all they want about welcoming eligible applicants regardless of age, but rejected applicants tell a different story on the Straits Times online forum. Banks need to work on their credibility quotient as much as they expect their older customers to be credit-worthy.

It's high time banks re-looked their eligibility criteria for older credit card applicants. With Singapore's ageing population on the rise, banks will stand to lose out if they continue to practise discriminatory policies against the elderly.

OLDER WORKERS, PLEASE APPLY

Have you ever walked into a music store and asked for a Beatles CD and be met with a blank look from the young sales assistant? Or step into a hair salon where the young hairstylist is only interested in making every customer look like a clone of himself, never mind that you have your own idea of which hairdo best suits you?

We are moving rapidly into an ageing society, and businesses would do well to employ more silver-haired staff to cater to customers in the older age group. Whether we are talking about departmental stores, supermarkets, restaurants, pharmacies, banks, gyms or airlines, older sales staff aged 45+ are a rare sight in Malaysia.

This is not quite the case in Singapore. According to a Straits Times report, Robinsons and Takashimaya each has 60 per cent of its retail staff in their 40s and above. Metro and Isetan each has more than 40 per cent, while Tangs has 20 per cent. It is a model Malaysian businesses should emulate to cater to the more discerning mature consumers. Older customers definitely feel more comfortable with older sales personnel who understand their needs and tastes much better.

It certainly makes sense for the big chain stores to hire more senior citizens. Besides the experience and expertise they bring to the sales force, they are also more patient and confident in handling customers’ requests or complaints. They have better work ethics and do not job-hop as a rule. Any business enterprise that deals with customers of all age groups should have a workforce that reflects this diversity in age. Wal-Mart is an excellent example. About 20% of its workforce is at least 55 years old, making it one of the largest employers of senior citizens in the US.

When it comes down to who needs a job more in these financially troubled times – the young or the seniors? I say the latter. They have a family to feed, teenage children to put through college and loans to service. With the number of retrenched workers in Malaysia hitting a new high of 22,887 from October 2008 to April 2009, and the number of workers laid off temporarily at 45,614, the job market is inundated with people looking for a second or third opportunity at re-employment.

On the other hand, retrenched mature workers seeking to rejoin the workforce should not be too picky about job offers and be prepared to accept lower remunerations and fewer benefits until the economy improves.

As one reader puts it in the Straits Times forum, there are many reasons why older workers are better, among them:
~ older workers are more mature and wiser
~ older workers are more conscientious
~ older workers are more willing to accept a lower salary for doing the same job
~ older workers are more willing to work longer hours
~ older workers are more willing to work overtime
~ older workers are more committed to their job
~ older workers have better people skills
~ older workers are more experienced in handling emergencies

The message to employers is this: make older workers an integral part of your organization’s workforce. There should not be any age discrimination when hiring workers.

IT'S AUTUMN FOR THE SPRING CHICKEN

(It's that time of the year again when Toastmasters here in Malaysia and elsewhere in the world are gearing up for the annual humorous speech contest. I wrote the speech below two years ago when I participated in (and won) the contest. Try and visualize the gestures and facial expressions that went with the speech. Hope it brings you a smile or two.)

It all started a few weeks ago. I went to the bank to apply for another credit card. For the first time in my life, I encountered age discrimination Did you know that banks are reluctant to issue you a credit card if you are a senior citizen? Unless, of course, you can prove to them you are rolling in money.

That was when it hit me – Gee; age IS catching up with me! I went home and had a good, honest look in the mirror. I used to have very long hair, now I’m just longing for more hair. As for the rest, well, let’s say, everything’s starting to wear out, fall out, or spread out. Gravity has become my worst enemy. I still have everything I had 30 years ago, but they are all a bit lower and slower. Not so long ago, I was crazy about the Rolling Stones. Now I am more concerned about kidney stones.

My knees are not what they used to be. My personal trainer tells me to do knee lifts with weights. I tell him, just sitting down and standing up is weight-lifting already. Maybe I should hang out more with people much older and heavier than me. That way I would feel young and slim. But on second thoughts, I would be bored to tears. They would be talking more about pension rather than passion.

The wild oats I sowed in my younger days have turned to instant oats for breakfast. A night out used to mean hitting the pubs or discos in Damansara Jaya till the wee hours of the morning. Now a night out means sitting out on the balcony, looking at the stars, and sipping tea till maybe 10 pm.

These days, it takes me twice as long to look half as good. But thank goodness for photo enhancing software, I can now look younger and younger as I age. This was taken a few years ago, and this, early this year. At this rate, when I reach 80, I’d probably look as young as this.

Improving with age, thanks to photoshop: ( l-r) at ages 48, 58 and 80

I read somewhere that government research studies show that senior citizens are the biggest carriers of AIDS. Shocking, isn’t it? They carry hearing aids, walking aids, band aids, and all types of medical aids.

Well, since I can’t fight time, I might as well look on the bright side of ageing. Every extra candle on my birthday cake means I can still count my blessings for another year. Or looking at it another way – I’m increasing in value! See – titanium in my teeth, silver in my hair, and gas in my stomach! That’s reason enough to celebrate, don’t you think?

As a senior citizen, I enjoy special benefits. My grandson and I love going to the cinema. We get to watch movies for only RM7 each. Only thing is it can be quite embarrassing sometimes. My friends tell me the last movie they saw was The Da Vinci Code, and I tell them mine was Chicken Little!

Since my grandson can’t always be my escort, I have been thinking quite seriously about putting a personal ad in the papers: Spunky grandma, 58, looking for male companion 60 and above. Must have real hair, own teeth and a strong heart. Able to walk without aid or Tongkat Ali. And still able to turn off the lights for romantic reasons, rather than to save electricity. Do you think I am asking for too much?

I often wonder what is it about ageing that makes most of us panic, whether we are 30, 40, 50 or 60. Some say that age is strictly a case of mind over matter – if you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter. Whether we are born in Malaysia, Alaska or Timbuktu, we all have expiry dates. We can’t run away from it. Personally, I follow the 5 Ls – Live, Love, Laugh, Learn, and Leave a legacy. That’s my recipe for ageing happily and gracefully.