Concern over decline in elderly happiness
Top News | Ayra Wang 26 Mar 2024
Senior citizens are found to be less happy as their personal and family happiness index dropped significantly to the lowest point in four years, to 6.63 points and 6.5 points this year from above seven points, respectively, a survey has found.
HK.WeCARE, a sub-unit under Wofoo Social Enterprises, and Tung Wah College School of Nursing conducted an online survey on citizens about their family happiness between December 7 and December 21 last year and collected 1,316 valid responses.
Respondents aged 65 or above saw their personal happiness index decline by nine percent from 7.29 points last year, out of 10 points, to 6.63 points.
Their family happiness index also dropped by over 10 percent from 7.37 points last year to 6.5 points.
Yvonne Chak Tung-ching, director of Hong Kong Christian Service and Wofoo Community Service Network Steering Committee, raised concerns about the decline in elderly happiness.
Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Chak said the elderly had always been the happiest age group in past surveys.
"The elderly have to adapt to the drastic changes in their families in a short period of time when their children left them in HK under the migration wave, which may lead to a decline in happiness," she said.
Chak urged citizens to maintain good communication with their aged parents even after they moved out of Hong Kong. She also said there may be other factors affecting the elderly's happiness while she called for more study into the problem.
Daniel Shek Tan-lei, associate vice president of Hong Kong Polytechnic University and an adviser for HK.WeCARE, said the happiness index of the elderly may keep dropping amid the aging problem.
Shek urged for more care from the community and neighbors for seniors, as well as more resources, to take care of the elderly.
The survey also found that the overall family happiness index dropped for the third consecutive year since 2021 and hit a four-year low of 6.43 points, 0.14 points lower than the 6.57 points last year, marking a slower decline compared to past years.
Shek attributed the slump to normalcy and economic recovery after the pandemic.
"Citizens need to pay attention to post-pandemic mental health problems and stay positive facing the uncertainty of the economic environment," he added.
Shek called for effective family communication as the survey found that the family happiness index will be higher if members share similar values and maintain communication during conflicts.
ayra.wang@singtaonewscorp.com
