Insights + interviews
50, The New 45
A new study reveals that 70 per cent of Singaporeans over the age of 50 believe that a positive attitude is key to feeling younger, while laughing is the best anti-ageing medicine.
The Inner Age Index, commissioned by leading healthcare company GlaxoSmithKline, provides new insight on Singaporean attitudes towards growing older as the nation faces a shrinking and ageing population. The study explores the concept of ‘inner age’– how old someone perceive themselves to be as compared to how old they actually are, and how ageing is perceived in Singapore.
The results of the study show that ageing is more about attitude than the physical passing of time. The results reveal that nine in 10 Singaporeans aged over 50 believe that a positive attitude is the key to feeling younger, while laughing is the best anti-ageing medicine. Those with a younger inner age were also more likely to report that they’re living life to the fullest (85 per cent), and feel more fulfilled than ever before (72 per cent). In addition, many Singaporeans over the age of 50 report feeling good about their appearance, 81 per cent stating that they like to look their best and 74 per cent feeling proud to reveal their real age. The Inner Age Index also found out that the majority (75 per cent) of older Singaporeans like to stay socially active and many (64 per cent) believe that being over 50 means they have finally found the time to realise passions, such as socialising with friends, travelling, playing sports and exercising. When asked if they could go back in time, nearly two in five participating in the survey said they wouldn’t change a thing. There was also a strong relationship between Singaporeans with a younger inner age and a positive perception of health, and more than half (57 per cent) of the respondents stated they are proactive when it comes to taking care of their own health.
Mr Gijs Sanders, General Manager of GSK’s Consumer Healthcare business in Singapore, said that these findings challenge the traditional perceptions towards ageing. “People over the age of 50 now make up almost a quarter of the population in Singapore. While there is currently much discussion around the health and societal implications of an ageing population, our study shows that the vast majority of Singaporeans over the age of 50 feel youthful, vibrant and are not defined by age.”
