PLANNING FOR RETIREMENT (Part 1)

Given that 9.5% of Malaysians will be above age 60 by 2020, the recent conference "Everyone Can Retire Well" couldn't have been more timely. Organized by the Financial Planning Association of Malaysia (FPAM), the event also included an exhibition and free talks for the public. 

A good turnout of participants from the government and corporate sectors, financial institutions, universities, real estate developers and the medical fraternity.

According to conference co-organising chairman and FPAM deputy president, Tan Beng Wah, there is currently no single umbrella body to coordinate the activities of all the different stakeholders in the retirement planning industry. The conference would provide a common platform for them to get together and discuss best policies to be implemented for the benefit of everyone.

A comprehensive list of topics from credit card management to investment in stockbroking. FPAM deserves a round of applause for taking the initiative to educate the public about retirement planning. (Click on all images to enlarge.)

The organizers also felt there was an urgent need to raise public awareness of the challenges that lie ahead not just for the country, but for the individual as well. To this end, a separate programme of free talks by established local and international experts was held in an adjoining hall. Although the talks were promoted in the print and e-media, the turn-out was small. A real pity as there was much to learn from the experts. Topics were wide-ranging, from investment opportunities to estate planning and retirement villages, to name a few.

One of several booths at the exhibition. This one offered free health checks.

The following screen shots are solely for educational purposes. Please visit the FPAM website for more infomation on the talks and the speakers.

Medical planning is an integral component of retirement planning. We tend to focus on financial planning, and forget that without good health, retirement can literally be much more than a pain in the neck.

Of what good is knowledge if we don't act upon it? If any of these health issues or medical ailments apply to you, seek expert advice.

The price to pay for ignorance or indifference.

The good doctor's recommendations.

Time for me to make an appointment. What about you?

Also speaking on the aspect of health concerns for retirement planning was Dato Dr Rajen, an authority in the field of alternative and traditional medicine. In his presentation he referred to osteoporosis as a thief as it steals the calcium from our bones, a racist as it favours Chinese and a bully as it picks on women who are smaller in frame than men.

His advice for strong bones - get at least 20 minutes of exposure to sunlight in the mornings or evenings. This is essential for our body's production of Vitamin D and calcium. If you are lactose-intolerant, take yoghurt or soy-based food products like tofu.

Next up was Dr Tanya Petrovich's talk on Alzheimer's Disease.

The statistics are alarming. There are brain exercises like Suduko, mahjong, crossword puzzles that can help keep the mind agile as we age. Like muscles, if we don't use our brain cells, we 'lose' them.

It's a relief to know that being forgetful is not necessarily a symptom of AD.

Alzheimer's Australia has come up with the Mind Your Mind booklet which you can click here to download for free. It gives tips on how to minimize the risk of getting dementia and AD.

JOINT PAIN? TRY TAICHI OR QIGONG

It is bound to happen as we age. I'm referring to osteoarthritis, or OA for short. Our bones are no longer as dense and strong as they used to be, and joint pain is a common complaint, especially in the knees and hips.

I've seen how my 83-year old mother struggles to get in and out of the car, or go up and down the stairs. And I wonder when it'll be my turn to experience the pain and discomfort. I've been told by my lady friends that taking glucosamine and chondroitin helps to build new cartilage for bones and relieves OA. But I try to avoid popping pills into my body, except for a multivitamin supplement that I take whenever I remember to!

The Singapore General Hospital has a website that provides very useful information on OA, including how to prevent it, how to treat it and a list of calcium-rich food which I find most helpful.

There have been many studies done on OA, with the most recent showing that practising taiji may not only reduce OA pain, but also improve joint function as well. Now this is something I can personally vouch for. There was a time when I had difficulty squatting or getting up from a seated position on the floor. Doing taichi (and qigong) exercises have helped tremendously in putting back some of that youthful spring in my bones!

Do check out this video for some simple taichi-qigong exercises that you can practise if you are a beginner.



Related videos:

Tai Chi & Qigong: Protect Your Knees

Six Healing Sounds

CELEBRATING MENOPAUSE

Not many people know about the Malaysian Menopause Society (MMS) which has been around since 1997. The society recently underwent a much-needed image makeover. As a life member since its early years, I can say the transformation is total and for the better - from the MMS website to the Berita Menopos Magazine. The recent surge of MMS events bear testimony that current MMS president Dr Ho Choon Moy and her team are doing the right things to rejuvenate the society and give women (and their men) a good reason to sign up as members.

MMS President Dr Ho Choon Moy urging the women to take action as cervical cancer is preventable.

Long queues at the bone density test counter.
Top: D'Happy Senior Citizens Club members looking pleased with the good response to their membership drive. Above: Brisk sales at the Remifemin booth.

Top: Dr Ong Hean Choon Bottom: Dr Liew Fah Onn




Dr Andy Low (click on the images to enlarge).

Dr Chin Chee Howe (click on the images to enlarge)


It's a good thing doctors have a sense of humour! (Click on the images to enlarge.)

MMS celebrated World Menopause Day (WMD) last Sunday 1 Nov 2009 with a series of talks on the theme "TRANSFORMATION - Up & Down, In & Out". Traditionally, WMD falls on 18 October every year. Event organizer Dr Liew Fah Onn must be congratulated on a job well done judging from the overwhelming response. Besides the talks by medical specialists, there was an exhibition of health and wellness products, a lucky draw and a fashion show with models selected from MMS members. I had a taste of catwalk modelling in a similar MMS event in 2007, and I can tell you it was FUN!

MMS members turned models for a day.

The only downside happened after the event, when the attendees were invited to high-tea. It was embarrassing to see quite a number of the ladies rushing for the food like they had just survived a week-long hunger strike.

Young and beautiful. The new 50s: sisters Lim Ai Mee and Alice Lim

MMS' s next event is the Fellowship Nite 2009 this Saturday 7 Nov, 7.30pm at Tropicana Golf & Country Resort, PJ. Tickets: RM20 for members, RM55 for non-members, spouses, friends. Interested? Call Mrs Jagjeet at 012-200 5276. I'm looking forward to an evening of fun, food and entertainment.

See you there.