LETTERS: Retirees may have retired from the "working life" but they need not retire from "living life".
Retirees' social circle may shrink but their family expands. In-laws and grandchildren are added to their delight now and then. Retirees should seek to engage themselves with their family members as often as possible.
Have frequent chit-chit sessions and enjoy the company of others. Reading and writing can help stimulate the mind and prevent dementia.
A retiree's rich and varied life and work experiences can be the material for a memoir. Write them down or dictate them to a willing listener or writer.
Retirees have much free time to read up on subjects of their interest and share their knowledge with others. It is good mental exercise. In addition, a good book in hand can keep one occupied. Also, due to mobility issues, retirees may not be able to meet as often as before.
But thanks to technology, communication is no longer a problem. They may engage in group chats with former classmates, colleagues and hobby buddies through social media.
If retirees are still fit and agile, they can continue to engage in their favourite sports or pick up new ones that are less physically demanding.
In addition, joining tours that give a feel of "climate change" can be a plus for retirees who are fit and mobile.
Local as well as overseas tours are opportunities to savour cultural shows, traditional crafts and cuisines of the land visited.
As Malaysia is destined to become an ageing nation in a few decades, learning how to stay active and continuously engage with others will be vital for people who have retired and those who will retire soon.
LIONG KAM CHONG
Seremban, Negri Sembilan
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times