LETTERS: I am now a middle-aged man. With that, priorities have changed and I have started looking at how we treat the elderly.
For one, while the retirement age has been set at 60, I believe those aged 55 and above are still able to work at the optimum level.
However, some of those who decide to retire at 55 or 60 might not be used to a sedentary lifestyle.
This might lead to early stages of dementia, partially because they do not use their brains and motor skills as often as before.
For that reason alone, I taught my parents how to use the computer over 20 years ago.
I am proud to say that they are both active users of notebooks and smartphones, frequently sharing articles and anecdotes they retrieve from the Internet or their friends. My mother is 78, while my father will be 82 next year.
I also see that many elderly folks at retirement homes seem to be languishing with little hope left.
Their eyes tell sad tales, with most people no longer giving them the time of day.
But, I am sure that many of them still have much to give if the opportunities are afforded to them.
I hope the government, organisations and corporations would consider establishing a memory receptacle that can house the experiences and knowledge of the elderly.
Whatever their age, wherever they come from, they still have much to give and contribute.
Doing so may even delay and eliminate the onset of diseases and dementia as they continue to contribute in any way possible.
It would be a shame to lose all those years of knowledge and experience if they are not captured and stored anywhere.
Finally, we should consider putting orphans and the elderly together in one location because what both need is someone to care for and love.
Having the energy from the young and the wisdom from the elderly may prove to be fruitful in the long-term for both.
The young need mentors, and heroes, people they can look up to and emulate. In some of these elders I am sure there are indeed mentors and heroes who can be the role models they need.
MEGAT SHAH RIZAL NOOR IKHSAN
Kuala Lumpur
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times