Page 22 - Accelerating Research and Impact - Issue 7

19 ACCELERATING RESEARCH AND IMPACT
Age-friendly environment for productive engagement of older adults
Arecent survey conducted by the Institute the built environment (outdoor spaces and buildings),
of Policy Studies (IPS) confirmed that an
age-friendly city framework would help to promote the productive engagement of older adults in Hong Kong. The research team recommended that the Hong Kong Government to enact policies and programmes improving intergenerational communication and interaction, and promoting inclusivity to address ageism for positive engagement leading to healthy and productive ageing.
As part of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust’s Age-friendly Cities Project, the study examined the predictors of productive engagement to ascertain the perception of an age-friendly city and active ageing in two districts: Tsuen Wan, an established new town; and Islands District, a developing new town. The research team analysed data for persons aged 60 and older to find out the factors associated with the productive engagement of older persons.
Results show that factors associated with productive engagement are consistent in both districts, which are social atmosphere (respect and social inclusion), social provisions (community support and health services) and
and that the perception of engaging in productive activities correlate positively with those factors. Overall, Tsuen Wan District participants had a higher opinion of improved outdoor spaces and buildings than their Islands District counterparts, who had a higher opinion of their community support and health services.
Project leader Prof Joshua Ka Ho MOK, Vice-President and Director of IPS, said that the concept of productive ageing combats dependency in later life and makes a better health outcome more likely through the interest and participation in social affairs. The findings indicate a positive relationship between social provision (community support and health services) and productive ageing, and show that older persons still want to engage in productive activities such as caregiving.
The research team included Prof Padmore AMOAH and Prof Vincent Zhuoyi WEN of IPS. The findings were published by the Cambridge University Press in the latest issue of the international academic journal Ageing & Society.