Retirement in name only: Intergenerational Learning and Lifelong Experiences
How do you plan your life after retirement? Have fun? Travel the world? Or are you willing to take up again your past dreams?
A group of retired faculty members of National Cheng Kung University participated in the physical fitness and activity research of Professor Linda Lin from the Institute of Physical Education, Health &Leisure Studies (PEHL) of National Cheng Kung University. After the two-year study was over, participants "accidentally" fell in love with physical exercise! After sensing the improvement of body function by weight training, they were loath to give up on regular exercise. This experience also spurred them to serve the local community as exercise volunteers, whereby they could continue exercising while assisting the elderly in the community with physical fitness training and workouts. Being a group of people falling at a similar age can have a peer effect and motivate the elderly in other communities. Many senior citizen volunteers have also actively obtained qualifications as certified physical inspectors, and are able to upgrade their experience and skills to a professional level to obtain recognition from the community and government agencies. Some retirees have even advanced on towards obtaining qualifications as physical fitness instructors for the elderly. This is quite a feat for many volunteers who had not taken up studying for a long time. After all, their visual and mental acuity cannot be compared to that of young people, not to mention that this is outside their previous areas of expertise. They must work harder and practice harder than the younger generation, assisted by the students of PEHL, who try their best to help the seniors review the technical subjects and movements. That the senior test takers can successfully obtain their certificates is certainly something commendable and worth sharing.
One volunteer, Ms. Chen, shared her experience; "After participating in the senior instructor training, I have a better understanding of the human body's muscle structure, which has helped me in physical training. I continue to do aerobic exercises for two hours a week as well as two hours of yoga. My proudest achievement is that the figures in red I used to have in my medical health exams are now all gone due to my training. I feel much more relaxed, so I’m happy to share my joy and encourage everyone to participate as exercise volunteers.” Another volunteer, Ms. Jian, added "Unexpectedly, I entered the ranks of exercise volunteers. Walking into crowds is not what I am good at, and I am even a little introverted I might say. However, with my participation and test after test, seeing the enthusiasm and passion of graduate students at PEHL and Prof. Lin's dedication to caring for the health of the elderly has really touched me. It is not so much to say I have helped others, but to say that others have helped me understand myself. I am grateful and really cherish this opportunity. It is said that only experience will lead to growth. In the continuing journey of my life, I feel like I have become more resolute at heart." Volunteer Ms. Wang remarked "I passed the senior care assistant exams and formally participated in the community physical fitness testing. This has boosted my confidence as a result. I gathered up the courage to sign up for the famed 38-day El Camino de Santiago pilgrimage in Spain, completed 17 days of hiking in Shikoku (Japan), a 4-day hike in Nanyao Temple, Changhua County, 4-day Hualien-Taitung hike, Dajia Matsu Pilgrimage, as well as hike to the summits of Jade Mountain and Hehuan North Peak, etc. Under the guidance and assistance of friends, I reached some achievements in life. This trip has allowed me to re-examine my outlook towards life, so that I can lead a healthy life, and really be myself. I retired in name only, and am now very active in volunteer work."
Under the auspices of USR (University Social Responsibility) Project, a group of retirees are enhancing the connections and social engagements between urban and rural elders through a “link of silver” railway, by establishing various types of “micro-communities”. Guantian Longtian Community is the first stop for the retirees, with a four-person tandem bike as a means of transportation. They took a train from Tainan Station to Longtian Station, where they visited the local Community Care Center to interact with other elderly citizens as well as local volunteers. In the beginning, assistant Ms. Pai-lin, Hsieh presided over the self-introduction segment, whereby participants introduced themselves and shared their interests, and warmly welcomed each other's visits.
Mr. Chang then led the Aiyu jelly-making activity, and the keenness to learn by participating elders is immediately apparent. Next, Ms.He led the participants to engage in butterfly pea beverage production. Everyone was awestruck by the change in colors of the butterfly pea flower in different acid-base solutions, as if admiring a beautiful starry sky in front of you. Afterward, the retirees and local residents rode on tandem bikes to Hulupi (Hulu Pond), where Ms. Wang Chun-mei and Ms. Wang Qiu-xun led everyone to play several interactive games, a real joy and led to closer relationships. When it comes to throwing sandbags, adults and youngsters alike seem to return to their happy childhood times, and the agility and vitality of all participants surprised everyone present. The participants then enjoyed leisurely lunch and a special buffalo nut shaved ice on Hulupi, and then rode tandem bikes back to the Community Care Center in sultry afternoon heat. They rewarded themselves by enjoying the ice-cold honey lemon Aiyu jelly they made in the morning. After a long day, what is better than enjoying an icy treat you created yourself? Mr. Zhang then shared a short story about eating Aiyu jelly: "An elderly lady grabbed me and said thank you very much. She also said that he must come again next time, and I asked why? She said that even though I was a host, you actually served me an Aiyu jelly dessert. It's really touching." In Mencius’s work Li Lou, he wrote " He who loves others is constantly loved by them. He who respects others is constantly respected by them." People reciprocate towards others how they are treated. Being kind and frank to others will naturally result in a kind response. Treat the elderly with smiles, sweet words, humility, and deft service can be used as the attitude one should have when interacting and engaging in intergenerational learning with the elderly. Seeing the retirees of National Cheng Kung University, who are more active than the locals, willing to actively interact and engage with the residents, and happy to share their own life stories and skills, and thereby becoming the seeds of influence towards others, is really a priceless experience that has touched all present.
To read more stories, please visit the Facebook Page of the USR Project
A group of retired faculty members of National Cheng Kung University participated in the physical fitness and activity research of Professor Linda Lin from the Institute of Physical Education, Health &Leisure Studies (PEHL) of National Cheng Kung University. After the two-year study was over, participants "accidentally" fell in love with physical exercise! After sensing the improvement of body function by weight training, they were loath to give up on regular exercise. This experience also spurred them to serve the local community as exercise volunteers, whereby they could continue exercising while assisting the elderly in the community with physical fitness training and workouts. Being a group of people falling at a similar age can have a peer effect and motivate the elderly in other communities. Many senior citizen volunteers have also actively obtained qualifications as certified physical inspectors, and are able to upgrade their experience and skills to a professional level to obtain recognition from the community and government agencies. Some retirees have even advanced on towards obtaining qualifications as physical fitness instructors for the elderly. This is quite a feat for many volunteers who had not taken up studying for a long time. After all, their visual and mental acuity cannot be compared to that of young people, not to mention that this is outside their previous areas of expertise. They must work harder and practice harder than the younger generation, assisted by the students of PEHL, who try their best to help the seniors review the technical subjects and movements. That the senior test takers can successfully obtain their certificates is certainly something commendable and worth sharing.
One volunteer, Ms. Chen, shared her experience; "After participating in the senior instructor training, I have a better understanding of the human body's muscle structure, which has helped me in physical training. I continue to do aerobic exercises for two hours a week as well as two hours of yoga. My proudest achievement is that the figures in red I used to have in my medical health exams are now all gone due to my training. I feel much more relaxed, so I’m happy to share my joy and encourage everyone to participate as exercise volunteers.” Another volunteer, Ms. Jian, added "Unexpectedly, I entered the ranks of exercise volunteers. Walking into crowds is not what I am good at, and I am even a little introverted I might say. However, with my participation and test after test, seeing the enthusiasm and passion of graduate students at PEHL and Prof. Lin's dedication to caring for the health of the elderly has really touched me. It is not so much to say I have helped others, but to say that others have helped me understand myself. I am grateful and really cherish this opportunity. It is said that only experience will lead to growth. In the continuing journey of my life, I feel like I have become more resolute at heart." Volunteer Ms. Wang remarked "I passed the senior care assistant exams and formally participated in the community physical fitness testing. This has boosted my confidence as a result. I gathered up the courage to sign up for the famed 38-day El Camino de Santiago pilgrimage in Spain, completed 17 days of hiking in Shikoku (Japan), a 4-day hike in Nanyao Temple, Changhua County, 4-day Hualien-Taitung hike, Dajia Matsu Pilgrimage, as well as hike to the summits of Jade Mountain and Hehuan North Peak, etc. Under the guidance and assistance of friends, I reached some achievements in life. This trip has allowed me to re-examine my outlook towards life, so that I can lead a healthy life, and really be myself. I retired in name only, and am now very active in volunteer work."
Under the auspices of USR (University Social Responsibility) Project, a group of retirees are enhancing the connections and social engagements between urban and rural elders through a “link of silver” railway, by establishing various types of “micro-communities”. Guantian Longtian Community is the first stop for the retirees, with a four-person tandem bike as a means of transportation. They took a train from Tainan Station to Longtian Station, where they visited the local Community Care Center to interact with other elderly citizens as well as local volunteers. In the beginning, assistant Ms. Pai-lin, Hsieh presided over the self-introduction segment, whereby participants introduced themselves and shared their interests, and warmly welcomed each other's visits.
Mr. Chang then led the Aiyu jelly-making activity, and the keenness to learn by participating elders is immediately apparent. Next, Ms.He led the participants to engage in butterfly pea beverage production. Everyone was awestruck by the change in colors of the butterfly pea flower in different acid-base solutions, as if admiring a beautiful starry sky in front of you. Afterward, the retirees and local residents rode on tandem bikes to Hulupi (Hulu Pond), where Ms. Wang Chun-mei and Ms. Wang Qiu-xun led everyone to play several interactive games, a real joy and led to closer relationships. When it comes to throwing sandbags, adults and youngsters alike seem to return to their happy childhood times, and the agility and vitality of all participants surprised everyone present. The participants then enjoyed leisurely lunch and a special buffalo nut shaved ice on Hulupi, and then rode tandem bikes back to the Community Care Center in sultry afternoon heat. They rewarded themselves by enjoying the ice-cold honey lemon Aiyu jelly they made in the morning. After a long day, what is better than enjoying an icy treat you created yourself? Mr. Zhang then shared a short story about eating Aiyu jelly: "An elderly lady grabbed me and said thank you very much. She also said that he must come again next time, and I asked why? She said that even though I was a host, you actually served me an Aiyu jelly dessert. It's really touching." In Mencius’s work Li Lou, he wrote " He who loves others is constantly loved by them. He who respects others is constantly respected by them." People reciprocate towards others how they are treated. Being kind and frank to others will naturally result in a kind response. Treat the elderly with smiles, sweet words, humility, and deft service can be used as the attitude one should have when interacting and engaging in intergenerational learning with the elderly. Seeing the retirees of National Cheng Kung University, who are more active than the locals, willing to actively interact and engage with the residents, and happy to share their own life stories and skills, and thereby becoming the seeds of influence towards others, is really a priceless experience that has touched all present.
To read more stories, please visit the Facebook Page of the USR Project
-
Global connection Expansion Stage Project
-
Tainan City
-
國立成功大學
471votes
Further reading
Ｍessage board
1 Comments
-
謝佳燕
* This is a private message and will not be displayed *
Measures for Leaving a Message to Enter the Draw for the Live Streaming of the Opening Ceremony
-
Event Period
From 13:00 to 14:00 on December 12 (Saturday), 2020
-
Event Measures
Log in to your personal Facebook or Google account to proceed with leaving a message; each account with a successful message of #2020usrexpo left before the end of the live streaming of the opening ceremony will have an opportunity to enter the draw, and each account is restricted to winning the prize once only.
-
List of Winners
On December 14 (Monday), 2020, the list of winners will be announced on the event official website https://2020usrexpo.org/) Announcement of the list of winners
Event Prize Content
-
1st Prize
“Huei Yeh” Power Extreme Massage Gun 1 winner
-
2nd Prize
Nestle Dolce Gusto Genio 2 1 winner
-
3rd Prize
KINYO Bluetooth 5.0 Wireless Speaker 2 winner
-
4th Prize
7-11 Gift Voucher valued at NT$200 27 winner
Announcement of the list of winners
The various prizes are expected to be notified via email and also announced on the event official website on December 14 (Monday), please will the prize winners pay attention to the prize-winning information, and send back the relevant documents according to the notices & explanations; no separate notification will be issued.
Notices
- The event period for this event is based on Taiwan time, and the delivery of the rewards is restricted to regions including Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu.
- Please refer to the actual products for the event rewards, the pictures used on the website are for reference only; no request for changing colors, specs, transfers, or cash redemption will be accepted.
- Our event organizer will not be liable for the follow-up warranty and maintenance of the winning rewards; once the rewards have been collected, signed, and accepted, no reissuance of the rewards will be available if the rewards have been lost, peculated, discarded, or damaged. Please refer to the actual products for the prize rewards, no return or exchange will be accepted; the prize winner must contact the manufacturer of the rewards if there is any issue regarding malfunctioning, damage, or maintenance.
- 1st prize ~ 2nd prize (Winning prizes with a value exceeding NT$1,000 (inclusive): Each prize winner should fill out the “Reward Collection Application and Receipt (will be announced together with the announcement of the list of winners)” within 7 days (including holidays based on the post stamp) starting from the next day with the announcement of the list of winners, and must provide a copy of both sides of the ID card. The copy must be sent to the specified place via registered mail; those passing the deadline will be deemed to give up the prize and rights, and no objections will be accepted from the prize winners.
- 3rd Prize ~ 4th Prize (Winning prizes with a value less than NT$1,000 (inclusive): Prize winners should reply to the prize-winning notifying letter via Email within 7 days (including holidays) starting from the next day of the announcement of the list of winners, to confirm the collection of the rewards and to fill out the relevant info for sending the rewards (to confirm the address for sending the gift), and to accelerate the follow-up qualification review. If the prize winners do not complete the relevant info before the deadline, they will be deemed to give up the opportunity to collect the rewards, and no alternative gifts or reissuance of gifts will be available.
- When the prize winners have completed filling out the prize-winning info, the organizer will double-check the identification data of the prize winners, the rewards will only be sent out when all data is correct.
- All prize-winning qualification needs to be approved by the organizer before it becomes effective, all reviewing standards are based on the organizer as the only reference.
- If the prize winner did not fill in the data complete and correct, or cannot be in contact, or did not send back the required data within the announced time of the rewards, the prize winner will then be deemed to voluntarily give up the prize, no separate notification will be announced.
- According to the R.O.C Tax Act, if the prize winner is an individual residing in Taiwan, and the prize amount (value) exceeds NT$1,000 (inclusive), then a copy of both sides of the ID card will need to be handed in for taxation, which will be incorporated into individual income for the annual taxation. If the prize winner is not an individual residing in Taiwan, 20% of reward tax must be deducted from the reward first regardless of the prize amount before the prize winner can collect the reward. If the prize winner is not an adult, a household registration transcript must be provided along with a letter of consent from the legal representative. If the prize winner is unwilling to pay the tax first, he/she will be deemed to give up the reward, and no objections will be accepted.
- If the prize winner is in violation of the relevant event measures or has other dissents, the organizer is allowed to retrieve the reward and no objections from the prize winner will be accepted. If a judicial dispute is involved, all legal liabilities will be held by the individual. The organizer will not be liable.
- If it is confirmed that the participant used a hacker program or other method that evidently violates the fairness of the event in an attempt to influence the event, the organizer is then allowed to disqualify the participant immediately or to cancel the prize-winning qualification. Compensation will be liable if a loss is caused for the organizer due to this.
- For reasons that the organizer are not liable for, including a computer, network, telephone, or technique issues resulting in the delay, loss, incorrect, unidentifiable, or damaged data uploaded by the participants, the organizer will not be liable for any legal liability, and no objections from the participants and prize winners will be accepted.
- The organizer reserves the rights to review the qualification of the event participants, if the organizer or a third party has reported that the participants are found to use methods that are intentional or evidently violate the fairness of the event, or do not conform to the rules of this event, the organizer will then be allowed to cancel the prize immediately.
- The event measures are stated on the event platform, the organizer reserves the right to alter the event details at any time (participating method, gift content and quantity…etc.); the participants must agree completely to follow and obey the alterations of the event without any objection. Please refer to the announcement of the event measures if alternations have been made to the event measures, no separate notification will be available.
- Unmentioned matters of this event should be handled according to the relevant rules of the civil law; the organizer reserves the rights to maintain, modify, cease and explain the content, as well as to cancel the prize-winning qualification of any prize winner influencing other prize winners’ rights. Refer to the announcement on the platform for the modification info; no separate notification will be available.
- Participants in the event agree to accept the event measures and notices, if, in violation, the organizer will then be allowed to cancel the qualification of the participant or the prize winner, and then request the participant for compensation for the losses caused.
- When the event is unable to be conducted due to force majeure causes, the organizer has the rights to cancel, terminate, modify, or cease the event. Participants in the event are deemed to accept the effectiveness of the rules, for unmentioned matters, the organizer reserves the rights to modify, terminate, and alter the event content details without giving out a separate notification.
TOP