To reflect the wellbeing of older people more objectively and facilitate project planning, The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) Charities Trust has commissioned The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) Jockey Club Institute of Ageing to develop a local AgeWatch Index (Index) for Hong Kong annually for five consecutive years based on the methods used to calculate the Global AgeWatch Index. This Index serves as an objective measurement of the trends in the wellbeing of older people in Hong Kong.
The first Index was announced in the press conference held on 16 July 2015. Professor Jean Woo and Professor Hung Wong, Director and Management Committee Member of CUHK Jockey Club Institute of Ageing respectively, presented the survey findings of the Index. In 2014, Hong Kong ranked 24th among 97 countries or territories in terms of the wellbeing of older people. While Hong Kong performed quite well in the domains of health status and enabling environment, there was still room for improvement in income security, psychological wellbeing and social connectedness of elderly population. HKJC’s Executive Director, Charities and Community, Mr Leong Cheung said that the Index helped to lay the basis to plan for related elderly projects.
At the press conference, HKJC’s Executive Manager, Ms Imelda Chan introduced the forthcoming launch of Jockey Club Age-friendly City Project which aimed at promoting the age-friendliness in Hong Kong by a district-based approach with a view to further improving the wellbeing of older people. A retiree Ms Teresa Lung shared her experience of job searching and re-employment after participating in an elderly-friendly employment programme funded by HKJC.
Radio Interview:
RTHK English News 'Hong Kong Today' (17 July 2015)
RTHK Radio 5 'Magesenior' (香江暖流) (14 August 2015) (Chinese version only)
TV Interview:
