To support healthy ageing, the government and the civil society are committed to formulate policies and develop programmes guided by principles that emphasize older adults’ active and meaningful participation in society and their ensuing integration with the rest of the population. It is crucial to promote positive images of ageing and older adults while dispelling stereotypes and misconceptions. As the number of higher education graduates entering professions and industries that serve an ageing population continues to rise, it is important to examine their understandings of 'ageing' and 'old age' and what this means for relevant policy and practice. This paper draws upon a focus group study on higher education students’ understandings of ‘ageing’ and ‘old age’ in Hong Kong. It is observed that participants from different major disciplines demonstrate varying degrees of awareness of the issues and challenges arising out of serving a multigenerational and ageing population in workplace and in the larger society. Also considered is the relevance of the Covid-19 experience for their understandings of what makes old age potentially ‘problematic’. The paper probes what these findings mean for the active ageing paradigm and positive ageing ideals, in a wider societal context commonly seen to be witnessing a shrinking young population and tensions in intergenerational relations. Implications for policy and practice focusing on health and wellbeing at old age are drawn.

Authors:
Beatrice Oi-yeung Lam, Hong Kong Metropolitan University, Hong Kong
Cheuk Ki Druid Fung, Hong Kong Metropolitan University, Hong Kong
Cheong Yu Stephen Chan, Caritas Institute of Higher Education, Hong Kong

About the Presenter(s)
Dr Beatrice Lam is a University Assistant Professor/Lecturer at Hong Kong Metropolitan University in Hong Kong

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