"The longer the remaining time feels, the higher the will to challenge"… Three risks of old age

As society enters an aging era, social concerns regarding how to fill the life of old age are deepening. In the EBS Docuprime video '100-Year Shock Part 3: Becoming a Real Senior of the Old New Humanity', three risks faced during old age were identified as meaninglessness, boredom, and poverty. In particular, not only economic poverty but also 'time poverty,' which includes a lack of friends or time, was presented as a factor threatening the life of old age.

The probability of challenging new experiences increases as time is perceived as longer

According to the experiment shown in the video, the concept of time perceived by an individual acts as an important variable that determines the quality of life in old age. Researchers conducted an experiment involving placing marbles in a beaker to check how seniors perceive their remaining time. As a result of the experiment, the group induced to feel that time was long showed a 'future time perspective effect,' appearing to have an increased number of days left to live compared to before the experiment.

This effect led to actual changes in behavior. When perceiving that the time remaining in the future is long, the probability of challenging new knowledge and experiences was high, and the will to participate in leisure activities was also measured to be higher. On the other hand, the group that felt time was short mainly focused on things that should not happen or things to avoid, showing a lack of mental capacity to think about things they like.

"Age is just a number"... An 88-year-old senior spending days vibrantly while reading every day

The video shows examples of seniors spending a vibrant old age by utilizing the concept of time positively. 88-year-old Han Jeong-suk spends her daily routine attending a senior college to learn new things. In particular, she is a mystery novel enthusiast who reads about 300 books a year, immersing herself in reading so much that she organizes the books she has read in alphabetical order.

She says age is just a number and describes herself as an '88-year-old youth.' Through an interview in the video, she expressed the view that doing what she likes prevents her mind from aging easily and helps her health. This aligns with the analysis that seniors who are active in social activities are more likely to spend a healthy old age.

The reality of the elderly between economic deficiency and helplessness

On the other hand, images of old age suffering from realistic economic problems and helplessness were also covered. In front of a church in Gangnam, seniors are seen lining up from dawn to receive numbered tickets. Through an activity called the so-called 'small change pilgrimage,' they earn a daily income of up to about 3,000 won. According to the video description, about one-third of them participate for economic reasons, while the rest move to pass the excessive time through activities such as exercise.

The case of Jo Gyeong-ju, who took pride in her past work as a private kindergarten teacher, shows the sense of loss in old age. Currently a recipient of basic livelihood security, she continues a difficult life, such as having meals by mixing rice in milk. Regarding the kindergarten volunteer activity suggested by the production team, she showed hesitation between the concern of whether she could do it and her love for children.

Source: original video (YouTube)