Hello there!
I would like to share and compare about the daily lifestyles of retired grandparents (and even great grandparents) among Filipino and Chinese communities.
In Asian countries like Philippines and China, we highly appreciate the presence of our elders inside our homes, as such, we are very proud if there are more than 2 or 3 generations living under a roof. The presence of elders are blessings to us from above and we always thank God for their good health and happiness.
Regarding their lifestyle, Filipino and Chinese elders share common ADLs and IADLs such as care of their grandchildren at home especially when the parents are absent, communicating in the community, having their own personal household possessions and pass these onto their later generations when they leave. Some elders can still do their own financial management, maintain their health with the help of the family members and mobilizing in the community independently. Aside from typical occupations such as helping in maintaining the cleanliness and order in the house, going to the market to buy food supplies for the family and spoiling their grand children, I have discovered some differences in their leisure.
In traditional Filipino communities, leisure activities of the elderly mainly rely on what the family can provide for him/her; they prefer spending most of their quality time with their family members than going out and socializing with new friends. Grandparents spend time doing gardening works, playing and studying with their "apo-s" (grandchildren) , handy works such as hardware for grandfathers and housework such as cooking, knitting, sewing and making decorative house furniture for grandmothers. A word that can describe their quality time is 'calm'. They make themselves productive by doing these quiet tasks.
On the other hand, in the Chinese communities, grandparents are encouraged to go outside and socialize with other people aside from family members. Most of the leisure activities outside their homes boost good health and good socialization. As I went to China for some times to visit my maternal grandmother, she told me that she goes to a government funded-geriatric school where they sing in chorale, dance, and go travel together to different parts of China; she always say that she feels productive because she does occupations at home and outside. My grandmother manages household chores at home with the help of my uncle's wife.
Some activities that are manifested at plazas and parks are: playing chess in the morning (to sustain or restore mental functions), writing calligraphy using large versions of calligraphy brushes (to maintain muscle strength mainly from Upper Extremity), doing tai chi exercises and zumba (aerobic exercises to stimulate good body functions). Some grandparents can even do independent calligraphy writing with both hands at the same time. (trained: bilateral integration) While maintaining health and wellness, they get to interact with the people they meet in the parks and plazas thus, encouraging good social interaction skills and psychosocial health.
Some of these activities are now highly encouraged in different cultures (such as zumba) as well. Attached are some photos of the leisure activities mentioned and a photo of Filipino grandparents enjoying companionship. Another attachment is a video of a grandson who dances gracefully with the grandmothers in a plaza dance activity:
Cute Toddler Dancing With The Grandmas--Video
(Images from Google Images)
Hope you enjoy my post! Feel free to comment! 🙂
Jem
