Date: 12/07/2024
Elderly with Emigrant Children Happier than Last Year, but 46% Living Alone and 63% Experiencing Social Isolation
- HKCS organised 'Care Day for Elders with Emigrant Children' to encourage elders to rebuild roles and identities beyond parenting.
While the emigration wave has slowed in recent years, a survey revealed that 43.2% of elders with emigrant children no longer have children living in Hong Kong, and 63.0% are still at 'high risk' of social isolation. Following the previous survey released in April 2023, Hong Kong Christian Service (HKCS) conducted the 'Survey on Service Needs of Elders with Emigrant Children in Hong Kong 2024' from August 2023 to May 2024, with social workers conducting structural interviews with 135 elders aged 55 and above with emigrant children. The results indicated that the number of elders with emigrant children experiencing a higher level of happiness has more than doubled, from 21.9% in last year's survey to 56.3%. However, it remains crucial for society to pay attention to their risks of depression and social isolation.
Depression and Social Isolation Remain Severe with Concern in Shift of Life Focus
Despite elders with emigrant children being happier than last year, the survey found that 45.9% are living alone, with isolation becoming increasingly common. The percentage of elders at high risk of social isolation has decreased from 79.5% last year to 63.0%. Similarly, the proportion of elderly showing signs of depression has decreased from 69.9% to 49.6%, but both figures still remained relatively high. Furthermore, 26.7% of elders indicated a shift in their life focus after their children's emigration, affecting their 'emotional well-being', 'lifestyle' and 'role transition'. Some elders expressed concerns about not having anyone to rely on, with even close friends having emigrated. Others mentioned the absence of companionship during tea time or volunteer work and the longing for their grandchildren.
Effective Communication with Children is Key, Digital Divide Hinders Connection
The survey revealed that the frequency of contact with emigrant children significantly impacted elders with emigrant children. Elders who maintained contact with their emigrant children at least once a week generally experience higher level of happiness, less depression and better social situation. However, they mainly relied on video calls to contact their children, and unfortunately, 49.6% of them either struggled to independently use smartphones or did not possess smartphones at all, making it difficult to connect with their children residing at a distance.
Support Programme Yields Promising Results, Empowering Elders to Regain Self-Worth
According to the survey, the top five services most needed by elders with emigrant children are 'participation in elderly centre activities', 'volunteer visits and companionship', 'cultivation of interests', 'smart technology application', and 'home repairs'. In August 2023, HKCS launched the 'Community Helper - Support for Elders with Emigrant Family', providing a wide range of activities and home visit services, benefiting nearly 1,400 individuals to date. The survey findings demonstrated the significant impact of the project, with 54.0% of the elders with emigrant children who previously exhibited signs of depression reporting a reduced level of depression, and 66.7% of those who previously had lower levels of happiness experienced an improvement in their overall happiness after participating in the project.
Ms Betty Yeung, aged 76, had both of her daughters emigrated to foreign countries, one in her early years and the other in 2019. In 2021, she spent about six months living abroad with her daughter but ultimately chose to return and settle in Hong Kong. Ms Yeung shared, 'I had no friends or social network in the foreign country, and I lacked a sense of joy in life. Even after returning to Hong Kong, my emotions remained low, and I was diagnosed with depression. However, after joining the "Community Helper - Support for Elders with Emigrant Family" by HKCS, I met many like-minded fellows, regained my social life, and even engaged in volunteer activities. Through giving back to society, I also rediscovered my self-worth.' Today, Ms Yeung has found emotional release and introduced friends to participate in the project, encouraging fellows to seek support when needed.
Recommendations
Based on the aforementioned survey results and the experience summarised from 'Community Helper - Support for Elders with Emigrant Family', Jonathan Lam, Supervisor of Bliss OPlus, HKCS, expressed, 'Elders find self-worth and identity within the family system under the traditional family value, such as taking care of their descendants and maintaining contact with relatives. However, after their children emigrated, they lost their focus in life and roles. They also hesitated in sharing about their children's emigration or expressing their emotions. During festive seasons, they may easily recall the past, leading to depressive emotions and an increased sense of loneliness.' Therefore, HKCS proposes the following recommendations:
1. Peer Support, Rediscovering the Joy of Life
- Elders with emigrant children can participate in activities with fellow peers, they can share the emotional challenges of children's emigration and collectively addressing the shared circumstances. They can face the changes occurred after their children emigrate together, and actively seek outlets for their emotions.
- Elders with emigrant children can learn to focus on themselves, rebuilding new identities and roles.
2. Be Aware of Emotional Behaviours, Accompany in Seeking Assistance
- In addition to assisting with the care needs of elders with emigrant children, relatives, friends and neighbours should be more aware of their explicit emotional behaviours, such as a disinterest in participating in regular favorite activities, experiencing insomnia or crying, and promptly accompany them to seek assistance from professionals.
- Accompanying elders with emigrant children in seeking community services, encouraging their participation in social services or elderly centre activities which can facilitate relief of emotions and aid in the adaption to the transitional period.
3. Creating a Platform to Enhance Self-Worth
- The social welfare sector can establish a dedicated platform for serving elders with emigrant children. This can include setting up specialised groups and activities to foster a sense of security among the elders, encouraging self-expression, sharing common experiences, and promoting active listening and support. Together, they can walk through the transitional period following their children's emigration together.
- After the transitional period, it is important to rediscover the strengths and advantages of elders with emigrant children. Leveraging their strengths and abilities can enhance their self-worth and sense of identity. This can promote the transformation of their roles, allowing them to rebuild a new course of life.
