Editorial | Stem tide of loneliness among Hong Kong’s elderly
- Survey revealing growing sense of despair and isolation felt by the old in Hong Kong is a call to action
Ideally, our years in retirement are meant to be golden, full of visits, get-togethers with children and grandchildren, and the fond sharing of family memories.
Sadly, this portrait of our twilight years is far too idyllic for so many around the world today. Hong Kong, among those places with the longest life expectancy, is no exception and the picture worsened dramatically during the pandemic years.
Today, the proportion of elderly people living in the city suffering moderate or severe loneliness has roughly doubled since 2018.
This is according to a joint survey by Chinese University and the Salvation Army, who have urged society to place greater importance on this growing problem.
Researchers asked 300 people aged 60 and above living in the community, and at care homes, to grade their sense of loneliness out of six.
The average score from respondents was 3.56. In 2018, the average was two. Those feeling moderate or severe loneliness surged from 35.3 per cent in 2018 to 68.3 per cent.
Those without children or a spouse experienced more intense feelings than those with families, the 2024 survey said.
