Taiwan Center Helps Seniors Embrace Retirement with "Mature Age Gift" Ceremony

In Pingtung, Taiwan, the Yongdae Lerinju Center is fostering a sense of purpose and reducing anxiety among its senior members through its "Mature Age Gift" ceremony. This annual event celebrates individuals turning 65, marking their transition into a "third life" with a focus on self-care and personal fulfillment.

During the recent fourth annual ceremony, ten members, surrounded by loved ones and community support, made a public declaration. Accompanied by the melodious tunes of an a cappella group composed of Lerinju members over 65, they pledged to prioritize themselves. "From today on, I will cherish myself more and treat myself kindly! As long as my body allows, I will eat what I want, move as I want, and play as I want, living freely and happily," they declared.

Wang Yu-hui, a social worker at the P Gaspar Foundation which operates the center, explained that many seniors feel lost after leaving the workforce or their caregiving roles. The "Mature Age Gift" ceremony, by creating a sense of ritual and communal affirmation, helps them feel prepared and secure for this new chapter. Since its establishment in 2016, Yongdae Lerinju has become a hub for over 1,300 senior members, offering a range of activities like digital literacy classes, health promotion, and community engagement, effectively challenging stereotypes about aging.

“

From today on, I will cherish myself more and treat myself kindly! As long as my body allows, I will eat what I want, move as I want, and play as I want, living freely and happily.