"Pa, are you OK?" ​

"Ya, don’t worry about me…”

For some of us, the above exchange is rather familiar. As children, ensuring our parents’ well-being is top of mind, so we engage in heart-to-heart conversations. But sometimes, the conversations can seem to hit a wall. We want to know about their concerns, but they don’t want to worry us.

How do we work around this? Read on to find out five things your dad could be hiding from you.

1. Health Issues​

As we grow old, health seems to take on greater importance — and for good reason. If your dad is battling an illness, such as heart disease, there are some ways you can help. One way is through encouraging him to join you for a stroll. In fact, a Harvard report found that walking reduced the risk of cardiovascular events by 31%*.

Inject some fun into the activity and give him the chance to be rewarded at the same time! StepUp’s various challenges are an enjoyable way to stay healthy and offer attractive prizes to boot — like the Xbox Series S or Apple iPod.

But as much as we try to stay healthy, we can still fall sick. That’s why being well protected through insurance is also important. It allows us to have peace of mind and focus on our recovery, without having to worry about stumping up potentially hefty medical bills.

2. A lack of savings

Many seniors are concerned about whether they will outlive their savings and how this determines their ability to maintain control in other areas of their life, and this could be the case with your dad as well. There are savings plans catered to retirees that — among other features — provide the policy holder with a guaranteed income stream over a period of time. 

3. Difficulty in maintaining relationships

Life is a series of passing phases, and as we go on to start our own careers or families, the time we spend with our parents sometimes takes a back seat. For example, your dad could be missing you dearly but is afraid to reach out because he doesn’t want to disrupt your plans or cause you unnecessary worry.

Make an effort to check-in on your parents as often as possible. If your schedule makes a visit challenging, a video call could do wonders to lift their spirits.

4. Struggles with mental well-being

In pandemic times, more Singaporeans are seeking help for mental health issues. In August and September 2020, voluntary welfare organisation O'Joy, which looks after the mental health of seniors, saw a 26% increase in clients^ on the same time the previous year.

On top of several organisations which specialise in tackling mental health issues, there are some ways we can help ourselves too. Meditation is said to boost mental health — reducing stress, controlling anxiety and enhancing self-awareness among others. Encourage your parents to set aside at least two minutes a day for mindfulness meditation on StepUp.

5. Concerns around legacy planning

What will happen to our loved ones when we are no longer around? It’s a conversation that you and your parents may not be keen on having, but one that’s necessary. Set aside some time when both of your schedules allow, and have a heart-to-heart with your parents. It may be a difficult topic to broach, but it actually lets them know you care.

For help with this, and other matters involving financial planning, feel free to reach out to an AIA Financial Services Consultant who will be able to tailor a plan to your needs.

Disclaimer: This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

<sub>*https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/walking-your-steps-to-health#:~:text=Walking%20for%20heart%20health,-Hundreds%20of%20medical&text=In%20a%20report%20that%20included,robust%20in%20men%20and%20women

^https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/more-seek-help-for-mental-health-issues-amid-pandemic</sub>