Journalist Tran Ngoc Chau (sitting in the middle) at the book launch in Hanoi - Photo: SK
Many of us still consider old age as a time when time stops even though we are still living, an age when we are "out of steam". According to the author, at the age of sixty, he still plays tennis with young people and considers himself to be "still writing well". Despite his increasing age, he can still maintain physical and intellectual activities; "old" does not mean "stopped".
The book is a collection of 3 years of hard work written and published in Health+ magazine. Writing at retirement age makes him feel "something like a victory over himself".
Mature wisdom and experience are valuable resources of old age. Tran Ngoc Chau said that the average life expectancy of the population is increasing, the elderly not only have aging bodies but also have thinking and life experience to contribute to society. Instead of looking at old age as a loss, see it as a "mature" stage of human beings, "the older you are, the clearer your thinking is, the healthier and happier you will live".
Comprehensive health: Not only avoiding diseases but also living a quality life, enhancing spiritual values
In this book, the author quotes a geriatrician as saying that "gerontology is pediatrics", meaning that the elderly need to enjoy a physically, mentally and socially fulfilling life, not just a cure.
Old age should not wait until "sick to take care of", but need to live in a way that makes every stage worth living, physical, mental and social communication are all important.
Accordingly, aging is natural, but attitude and lifestyle make up the quality of old age, the author's empirical therapy is writing poetry. Of course, not everyone knows how to write poetry, but most Vietnamese people can write poetry, read poetry, and like poetry.
For a long time, people have been discussing nursing homes for the elderly, but they have not paid attention to discussing how to ensure that after retirement, each person can still work within their capacity, contribute, and have an active and healthy life - Illustrative photo
Writing and thinking are means for the elderly to assert themselves and share their values.
In the book, journalist Tran Ngoc Chau looks back and shares the process of aging, from anxiety and illness to acceptance and finding joy. This shows that the elderly not only "need to be cared for" but can also "give".
"The elderly can continue to contribute through writing, sharing, and life experiences, and thereby feel that they are still valuable and useful. Contribute spiritual and material values by selling books written by themselves to sponsor the Saigon Times Education Fund established in 2005, of which he is the director of foreign affairs" - the author wrote in the book.
After recovering from colon cancer, over the past 14 years, Mr. Chau has published 4 books (poetry, essays, memoirs, research...) and all proceeds from book sales are donated to the Saigon Times Foundation for scholarships.
This time, all the proceeds from the book sales will be donated to scholarships for students in the flood-hit areas of the Central region. According to him, giving is not for others, but for oneself. Old age is not a time to be isolated, on the contrary, it is a time to connect, to feel that you are always active, positive, and meaningful to life and the community in a positive way, maintaining social connections and a healthy mentality.
The book reflects his own interesting experiences: living proactively, continuing to interact and engage, through participating in sports , writing, communicating with friends at home and abroad to maintain health awareness.
The book about the paradox of old age is very meaningful to everyone in sharing a positive philosophy of life, the author's optimism has conveyed a message of accepting joy in a fragile life, continuing to contribute more practical experiences to family and society in the next reprint.
Finally, after finishing this book (which is easy to read), I felt happier and healthier than the day before, in the slowing steps of my own "early autumn" age.
Experience a colorful and diverse life
At the book launch held in Hanoi on November 27, journalist Tran Ngoc Chau and "active seniors" like him had a very interesting conversation with young readers. According to Mr. Chau, when you are young, you should really try hard and overcome challenges in life, then when you are old, life will always be interesting.
"Life is real, each of us can only come to that real world once, so let's experience a diverse, dynamic, positive, colorful life, and when we reach the other side of life, always be optimistic" - Mr. Chau said.
Mr. Chau also said that his wife has up to 15 groups of friends on Zalo: a group of friends who learn to dance, a group of friends who love ao dai... and every time he walks, he learns to sing to test his memory.
Mr. Le Van Truyen, former Deputy Minister of Health, a famous person in the medical industry for his work capacity and health, at the age of over 80 still writes many professional books, teaches, chairs seminars... thinks that when you are old, you should still work, stay connected with society, with current technology conditions, staying connected is very easy.
"The average life expectancy of people is now higher, there will come a time when 20% of the population will be over 60 years old, so preparing for life when old is also a story that everyone talks about. I think those preparations will include health, finance, culture, knowledge, and optimism" - Mr. Truyen shared.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/nghich-ly-tuoi-gia-huong-dan-cach-giu-suc-khoe-va-cuoc-song-nang-dong-cho-nguoi-gia-20251129102638039.htm
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