At 64, Diana Nyad grabbed the news headlines when she became the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida, US. She had to brave extreme cold, jellyfish, sharks and rough seas to swim the longest unprotected open-water ocean swim, covering a distance of about 180 km in 53 hours on 2nd Sept 2013. For the long-distance swimmer, this was her fifth try.
Her message to the others was: “One is we should never, ever give up.Two is you never are too old to chase your dreams. Three is it looks like a solitary sport, but it’s a team,” she told reporters. She was treated for sunburn and dehydration.
Indeed Ms Nyad is an inspiration to all baby boomers. In Singapore, our seniors are encouraged to live a healthy lifestyle when the first Senior Citizens’ Week was held in 1979 and one of its objectives was to encourage the elderly to remain physically, mentally and socially active and to promote positive attitudes towards ageing. The Senior Citizens’ Week is usually held in the third week of November every year.
Statistics show that in 2010, 9% out of 5.07 million people was above 65 years. In 2011 out of 5.18 million people, 9.3% was above 65 years. In 2012 out of a population of 5.13 million 9.9% was over 65 years. By 2030, it is projected that 20% or one fifth of the popu- lation will be aged 65 years and above.
In Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC there are ample opportunities for our seniors to take on a healthy lifestyle. There is the Harmony Park at Bishan Road (next to Block 105), the Bishan Active Park (Bishan Street 23), Japanese garden (Lorong 6/7 Toa Payoh), jogging track at Blk 441 – 445 Sin Ming Court, fitness corners at Blk 207 Toa Payoh North, Blk 150 Toa Payoh Central, Blk 118 Lorong 1 Toa Payoh, and Blk 174 Lorong 1, Toa Payoh. There is also the Senior Citizens’ Fitness Corner Blk 163 Bishan Street 13, not to mention the Seniors Activity Centre in Toa Payoh Lorong 1 and 24.
Within walking distance from the many blocks of flats are various parks, many with specially-designed equipment, to encourage our seniors to take up simple exercises.
Take the exercise stepper, which emulates the climbing of stairs, without obviously having to walk up and down the stairs. It is an effective form of a cardiovascular workout. In stepping up and down onto the step, it works the quad and the calf muscles in the legs, and the buttocks too. Or the parallel bar to help you to regain strength, balance, range of motion, and independence. This is especially good for those recovering from injuries, illnesses, and often used in physical therapy and rehabilitation centres.
There are almost endless trails for brisk walking or a slow jog for those who are more energetic. Yes, we may not be a marathon swimmer like Ms Nyad but certainly there’s something for each of us to look forward to even when we’re aged 60 and above.
– This article first appeared in a lifestyle magazine
