13th April 2023 – (Hong Kong) Hong Kong society has witnessed various separations and departures in recent years. With children emigrating to other countries, elders face life changes and mixed emotions. In order to understand the needs of elders with emigrant children and advocate appropriate services, Hong Kong Christian Service (HKCS) conducted the ‘Survey on Service Needs of Elders with Emigrant Children in Hong Kong’ from November 2022 to February 2023.
The survey, which involved 203 Hong Kong residents aged 50 or above who do not live in residential care homes, found that 36.0% of elders had children who had emigrated in or after 2020, of whom 63.0% were their ‘primary caregivers’. The survey also found that elders with emigrant children experienced poorer social life and emotional health than those without emigrant children.
The results revealed that elders with emigrant children are at a higher risk of social isolation and have worsening physical and mental health. 79.5% of elders with emigrant children were at ‘high risk’ of social isolation, and 69.9% of elders with emigrant children felt ‘lonely’ as a result of their children’s emigration. Additionally, 69.9% of elders with emigrant children were prone to depression.
However, the survey also found that a positive parent-child relationship helps elders with emigrant children adapt to life changes. When the parent-child relationship was better before emigration, the elders would experience less loneliness and higher levels of happiness after their children’s emigration. HKCS stated that children who have a good relationship with their parents generally have better communication and preparation with the elders before and after emigration, which helps the elders adapt to life changes.
To cope with children’s emigration, the most effective methods considered by elders with emigrant children are learning to use new communication technologies (56.8%), expecting to take care of themselves (51.9%), and building relationships with local groups to access resources to solve everyday problems (48.8%). The most desired support measures for elders with emigrant children are psychological and emotional support services (42.5%), mutual aid group for elders with emigrant children (32.9%), and elderly re-employment services (27.4%).
In response to the survey, HKCS will launch the ‘Community Helper – Support for Elders with Emigrant Children’ in August this year to provide specialized services for this group of elderly. Additionally, HKCS has created the ‘5 Self-Care Tips for Elders with Emigrant Children’ to provide guidance for them to address their children’s emigration. The tips include being open and honest about expectations, establishing remote communication channels, getting to know the resources in the community, developing hobbies and interests, and planning personal finances.
The survey sheds light on the challenges faced by elders with emigrant children and highlights the need for specialised services and support measures to help them adapt to life changes.