Nelson W. S. Chow

Sources of income and depression in elderly Hong Kong Chinese: mediating and moderating effects of social support and financial strain

This study examines the relationship between major source of income (i.e., adult children, financial independence and government welfare) and depression among elderly Hong Kong people. We also assessed the mediating and moderating effects of family social support and financial strain in the linkage between source of income and depression. The data came from a cross-sectional survey of a representative community sample of 1106 elderly respondents in Hong Kong. Using multiple regression models, data revealed that there was a differential impact of major sources of income on depression. Welfare participation and financial independence contributed to a higher level of depressive symptoms whereas people whose source of income was their adult children were more likely to report a lower level of depression than the others who were not. We also found that family social support was either a complete mediator or partial mediator in the relationship between different major sources of income and depression but it was not a significant moderator in the linkage between different major sources of income and depression. In contrast, financial strain was a significant moderator in the link between different major sources of income and depression. Specific and effective interventions must be developed for those who are financially independent or on welfare.

Western and Chinese ideas of social welfare

Social welfare in the modern world has become an indispensable social institution. In many countries, expenditures on social welfare not only constitute the largest portion of their budgets (OECD, 1981), but also affect the lives of most of their people. Broadly speaking, social welfare comprises social security and a host of other personal services provided to promote the wellbeing of the young, the sick, the elderly and the disabled. It is closely related to institutions like education, medical care, employment and housing (Dixon and Kim, 1985). More and more countries have now recognized the provision of social welfare as a government responsibility. From a historical perspective, the provision of social welfare in

Cost-Benefit Analysis of a Case Management Project for the Community-Dwelling Frail Elderly in Hong Kong

This randomized, controlled trial evaluates the cost-benefit of a case management project for older persons in HongKong. Case managers provided integrated care to participants in an intervention group while participants in a control group received conventional care only. Minimum Data Set–Home Care was used to assess health conditions, and hospital admissions were used as the basis to calculate health care costs. After the intervention, hospital admissions were reduced by 36.8% in the intervention group (p = .01) and 20.4% in the control group. The total number of acute hospital bed-days decreased by 53.1% in the intervention group (p < .05), compared to 4.4% in the control group. Compared with the control group, U.S.

Leisure participation amongst Hong Kong Chinese older adults

170,448 was saved in acute hospital care and community health services in the intervention group. Well-planned case management interventions reduced hospital admissions and the length of stay in hospitals with corresponding savings in total health care costs.

Asian value and aged care

Gerontologists have recognised the important influence of leisure activity on the mental and physical health of older adults. To date, however, there have been few studies of the patterns of participation in leisure activity among older adults in Hong Kong. This study examines a large representative sample of Hong Kong older adults and the associations between their socio-economic and health characteristics and their leisure activities. The data are from a cross-sectional survey of 2,180 respondents aged 60 or more years, conducted in 2000 by the Hong Kong Census and Statistics Department. There were full records for 2,144 respondents. Among the participation rates in the seven categories of leisure activities, watching television or listening to radio was the highest, while the lowest was for playing mahjong or cards. The characteristics that significantly correlated with the level of participation differed by the activity. Although no consistent pattern emerged, gender, education, employment status, receiving welfare benefits, self-rated health and functional impairment were the strongest correlates for most types of leisure activity. The paper is concluded by comparing the results with previous findings, and by discussing the service implications of the findings, the limitations of the study, and directions for future research.

Modernization and its impact on Chinese older people’s perception of their own image and status

Based on the findings of research studies on the practice of filial piety in East and South‐east Asian societies, this paper maps out a new basis for the formulation of aged care policies. Evidence shows that filial piety, while diminishing in influence, remains to be the most important value in regulating the behavior of children towards their elderly parents and relatives. Hence, neither a complete rejection nor a total acceptance of the value is appropriate. It is argued that a policy on care, especially long‐term care, for elderly people in East and South‐east East Asian societies must recognize the changes that have taken place in the practice of filial piety. The adoption of a community care approach that combines formal and informal support is suggested to be the most effective strategy in enhancing the welfare of the elderly.

Preventing Economic Hardship Among Chinese Elderly in Hong Kong

This article represents an attempt to look at the impact of modernization on how older people in China perceive their own image and status. Findings from a study conducted in Wuhan, China reveal that modernization has tarnished the image and lowered the status of older people, who still welcome their country’s modernization as it has made marked improvements in their standard of living. Differences in reactions towards modernization are also found to exist between urban and rural older residents — an issue that the Chinese Government must redress to promote positive ageing.

Interaction Between Pre- and Post-Migration Factors on Depressive Symptoms in New Migrants to Hong Kong from Mainland China

Abstract Over the next 20 years, Hong Kong will face a rapidly aging population as the number of older adults aged 65 or above increases to approximately 1.4 million by 2021, that is, 17% of the total population. In 2001, there were 1.2 million adults aged 45-59. To assess the differences between these middle-aged adults and the current cohort of older adults, we identified the challenges that Hong Kong society will face in meeting the financial needs of older adults in the coming two decades. In this paper, we examine the retirement economic status of three groups of older adults: those who are financially independent, those who are financially supported by their adult children or children-in-law, and those who are receiving welfare assistance. We describe the current situations of these groups, prevailing social policy, future trends, and recommend policies for tackling problem areas.

Economic Impact of Elderly Amenity Mobility in Southern China

The goal of the current study is to examine the role of poor migration planning as a moderator for the effects of two post-migration factors, namely acculturation stress and quality of life, on symptoms of depression. Using a random sample of 347 Hong Kong new migrants from a 1-year longitudinal study, we used multiple regression analyses to examine both the direct and interaction effects of poorly planned migration, acculturation stress, and quality of life on depressive symptoms. Although poorly planned migration did not predict depressive symptoms at 1-year follow-up, it did exacerbate the detrimental effect of the two post-migration factors, namely high stress or low quality of life (both also measured at baseline) on depressive symptoms at this stage. Our results indicate that preventive measures must be developed for new immigrants in Hong Kong, especially for those who were not well prepared for migration.

The use of the Minimum Data Set. Home Care in a case management project in Hong Kong.

No studies have been conducted to examine the economic consequences of elderly seasonal residents in Chinese society, despite the growing movement of amenity-seeking elderly people from Hong Kong to mainland China in the past decade. This study evaluates the economic impact of elderly amenity seekers on the local economies of a community in the Pearl River Delta and the original community of Hong Kong. Community surveys and participant observation were used to collect data, and equations were formulated to calculate the economic impact. The findings show that the expenditure of the respondents generated a substantial economic impact on the local economy of the host community but had a nonnegligible adverse economic impact on Hong Kong. The expenditure patterns and levels of the respondents varied greatly from those of retiree in-migrants in Western societies. Strategies for inducing elderly amenity seekers to communities and for conducting further studies are suggested.