Question 3 : Bincangkan konsep ketuaan dan bagaimana masyarakat membantu

warga tua untuk mereka hidup sejahtera.

Aging is defined as a progressive increase throughout life, or after a given stadium,

in the like hood that a given individual will die, during the next succeeding unit of
time, from randomly distributed causes. It is closely related to the biological study of
the human mechanism. Most evolutionary biologists define aging as an agedependent
or ageprogressive decline in intrinsic physiological function, leading to an increase in
agespecific mortality rate (i.e., a decrease in survival rate) and a decrease in
agespecific reproductive rate.

The study of aging is so important and popular that it has its own name,
gerontology. The scholars who study aging are called gerontologists. The people they
study go by several names, most commonly “older people,” “elders,” and “the elderly.”
The latter term is usually reserved for those 65 or older, while “older people” and
“elders” often include people in their 50s as well as those 60 or older.

Gerontologists say that age and aging have at least four dimensions. The dimension
most of us think of is chronological age, defined as the number of years since someone
was born. A second dimension is biological aging, which refers to the physical changes
that “slow us down” as we get into our middle and older years. For example, our
arteries might clog up, or problems with our lungs might make it more difficult for us to
breathe. A third dimension, psychological aging, refers to the psychological changes,
including those involving mental functioning and personality, that occur as we age.
Gerontologists emphasize that chronological age is not always the same thing as
biological or psychological age. Some people who are 65, for example, can look and act
much younger than some who are 50.

The fourth dimension of aging is social. Social aging refers to changes in a

person’s roles and relationships, both within their networks of relatives and friends
and in formal organizations such as the workplace and houses of worship. Although
social aging can differ from one individual to another, it is also profoundly influenced
by the perception of aging that is part of a society’s culture. If a society views aging
 positively, the social aging experienced by individuals in that society will be more
positive and enjoyable than in a society that views aging negatively.

How does the society enable the elderly to live a prosperous life? What are the
measures taken to do so? Society in itself is very generalised and to be able to help the
elderly towards a comfortable life is an issue on its own. In Malaysia, we have a
established a programme to look after the elderly known as “ Dasar Warga Emas
Negara” by the Welfare Department to help the elderly in any manner possible.

The 'senior citizens' definition is those 60 years old and above. At this age, people
have always assumed that they should just rest and do not have to contribute towards
self-development and the surrounding communities. This is a wrong response.
Although they are old, they should be actively involved in various activities in order
to be devoted to the development of nation and nation. The Senior Citizens National
Day celebration is held on 1st October of each year in accordance with the declaration
of the United Nations through Resolution No. 45/106 that has set October 1 as
International Day of Senior Citizens. The Government of Malaysia has also declared
October 1 each year from 1992. On this date, the National Level Senior Citizen Day
celebration is held. It is an acknowledgment of the group so that they are no longer
seen as a burden-bearing group.

Contribution to help the elderly to live a prosperous life can come in many forms.
Some may show their contribution by collecting funds for senior citizens who are in
desperate need of monetary help. It is also possible to help by merely carrying their
groceries for them or even helping with chores around the house. Volunteers come up
with many creative ideas by spending time with the senior citizens in the old folks
home so that they don’t wallow in the sense of abandonment. It just takes a good heart
and some effort to help the elderly to live a prosperous life.