She's simply happy to be 100

She's simply happy to be 100

Her hearing isn't great, and her legs are weakening too.

She doesn't have much appetite either, often finishing only a small portion of her meals.

But you will never hear Madam Chua Sua Teh complaining about her age.

Indeed, the 100-year-old woman can still play a mean game of Wii bowling.

Despite the usual effects of ageing, Madam Chua is simply happy that she has hit the 100-year mark this year.

She told The New Paper last Thursday in Teochew: "I don't worry myself with thoughts about death or illness, I simply live one day at a time, and make the most out of it."

Madam Chua is a good example of how the elderly can live to a ripe old age when there's good family and community support. (See report on facing page.)

Even though she has been living alone in her Bendemeer one-room flat since the death of her husband 21 years ago, her family has not neglected her.

CELEBRATION

Earlier this year, her children had celebrated her 100th birthday with a buffet lunch.

Said the centenarian, who has 15 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren: "I went to the home of one of my children in the morning to celebrate, then went back home in the afternoon."

Madam Chua, who is happy to live alone, often goes down to the Lions Befrienders Senior Activity Centre on the ground floor of her block.

Volunteers said Madam Chua is a regular there, visiting the centre at least three times a week.

Madam Chua said: "I'm not lonely, as everyone at the activity centre is my friend."

And even with her advanced age, she would rather continue living alone than with her children as she does not want to inconvenience them. But her children have employed a domestic helper, who has yet to arrive, to take care of her in light of her weakening legs.

Not that she has requests to make to her children. She said: "Even for my funeral, I'll just let my children do what they want to do, I won't request that they do anything special."

I don't worry myself with thoughts about death or illness, I simply live one day at a time, and make the most out of it. - Madam Chua Sua Teh


This article was first published on July 22, 2014.
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