The world of Tzu Chi (Vol.106)

TZU CHI 106 07 capability of old people” means more than sharing of life experiences. With her experience and wisdom, her presence itself creates a magnanimous and calming atmosphere that makes one forget about one’s fear and worries, and let out a smile. Older, more experienced and wiser In early 2018, Master Cheng Yen raised the concept of the “Age Treasury”, which is to encourage the elderly people to save 50 years of their life in the Treasury, thus feeling young again and continuing to serve others and grow spiritually. The Head Neurologist in Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital, Dr Cao Wen Long, is a specialist on dementia and has been actively involved in caring for patients suffering from the illness. According to him, most elderly dementia patients do not have physical strength but they have life wisdom. Therefore, elderly people must not give in to their old age but remain young in spirit. On the other hand, through his patients and the ten years of caring for his father, Dr Lai Chi-Wan realized that the power of the mind plays an important role in the mental health of elderly people. Those who feel that they have “lost” their previous states to aging, and even thought of “giving up”, would age quicker physically and mentally owing to their negative mindset. Thus, it is not age that determines how old a person is, but one’s mentality. Master De Zao of the Jing Si Abode has described Lin Ah Xia, who is in her 90s, as one who demonstrates strong mental resilience in overcoming hardship in life. Her second son suffered a stroke not long after she lost her eldest son. Although worried about her son, she kept it all to herself, and when she fell sick and became wheelchair-bound for a year, she was determined to go on with her daily tasks. Despite being illiterate, she took Master Cheng Yen’s teachings to heart and lived them out. Thanks to the strong spiritual support and mental power, she was not overcome by the fear of aging and illness. Instead, she regained her mobility with active rehabilitation and came through her adversities. Death is inevitable, and the question, “How can we prepare ourselves to face the natural process of aging and live life to the fullest?” is what all of us should think about. Taiwan entering an aged-society One out of every seven people in Taiwan is a senior citizen. The average life expectancy is 80 years old; 76.8 years old for men and 83.4 years old for women. The average demand for long- term health care is 7.3 years. Household population has dropped to 2.77, leading to reduced manpower for family care. Age of Longevity: How Would You Like to Grow Old?