STAYING ENGAGED : A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF THE PURSUITS AND DESIRED OF SENIOR CITIZENS AFTER RETIREMENT

Retirement, often seen as a peaceful stage of life, depends on how retirees utilize their time meaningfully. This study explores the activities and desires of retirees in Kuching, Sarawak, through 8 semi-structured interviews with Chinese respondents aged 65 to 86. Social engagements emerged as predominant, but the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped their pursuits. Despite economic activities, monetary gain isn't a top priority; instead, retirees find satisfaction in artistic and cultural endeavors, prompting further inquiry. Our study also uncovers retirees' longings, revealing a desire for external support driven by empathy and a yearning for cultural experiences, indicating a desire to preserve cultural heritage. These findings lay a foundation for tailored activities for retirees and merit further investigation.