What do seniors have in mind
about golden years? Are they feeling happy at present? On our
way to help build a happy life for the older people, do we know
what their expectations are on the government, service providers,
family members and themselves?
Hong Kong Christian Service
Elderly Council had conducted a survey on 'How to Achieve a
Happy Golden Years' and the result was reported during the Elderly
Consultation Meeting held in March. The survey was done using
questionnaires and had successfully interviewed 751 elders who
were at the age of sixty or above. The average age was 75.1
of which 23.3% was male and 76.7% was female. All interviewees
were users of Elderly Service of which 34% stayed in hostels
and 68% lived in the community. Among the outcome, one interesting
finding was that elders in hostels were happier than those living
with family members, and those living with family members were
happier than those living alone.
The findings also revealed
that there was a great demand in counseling services; this coincided
much with the present situation of high suicidal rate of the
elderly and elder abuse cases. There are around thirty Elderly
Multi-service Centres that will provide counseling services,
but is it sufficient to meet the enormous needs of the elderly?
This definitely requires more review. In addition, the social
service organisations should consider cooperating with the medical
system so to provide appropriate joint-services for the elderly.
The study also revealed that
most elders longed for emotional support from family members,
i.e. show more concern and listen to them. They also expected
the government to provide more tangible supports such as low
medical charges, comfortable residential flat and financial
support. On the other hand, elders had inevitable responsibility
to cultivate a happy life for themselves; and the key to it
is to maintain a harmonious relationship with family members,
be optimistic and make more friends.
During the Consultation Meeting,
the elders also expressed their opinions on the reform of the
present Elderly Service. There were worries on various issues:
service quality might be affected if Residential Services were
contracted out; a reduction of government subsidies to service
centres might lead to an increase in elders activities fee.
Moreover, they also commented that the present policy of Elderly
Service had not really benefited the elders, this was especially
true for those living on their limited savings as they are still
living in poor today.
Our Elderly Council will submit
the findings together with the opinions gathered at the Meeting
to the Health and Welfare Bureau, Social Welfare Department
and Elderly Commission. The Council also urges the government
to view more from the elders' perspective when forming a policy
and will consider their opinions during the process in order
to draw a policy that can realistically address the needs of
the elderly.
