HSBC/FOOD ANGEL SURVEY
ONE IN THREE HONG KONG ELDERLY STRUGGLE WITH
LONELINESS, FINDS HSBC/FOOD ANGEL SURVEY
Only Four in 10 “Feel Supported When in Need”
New Initiative with
Food Angel Aims to Improve
Physical and Mental
Well-being of Local Elders
One in three elderly Hongkongers struggle
with loneliness, according to a joint survey conducted by The Hongkong Bank
Foundation (“The Foundation”) and Food Angel.
The Elderly Loneliness Survey (the “Survey”),
which explores the overall mental health status of the elderly in Hong Kong,
also revealed that less than half (42 per cent) of respondents agreed that they
feel “supported when in need.”
In response to the growing need for health
and mental well-being support among the elderly in the city, The Foundation and
Food Angel will announce a new initiative by the end of October. This
initiative leverages games to inspire the community to spark meaningful
conversations and interactions with the elderly around them.
William Chiu, Secretary of
the Advisory Committee of The Hongkong Bank Foundation said, Ensuring the elderly are
supported in their golden years is a cornerstone of The Foundation’s mission.
With Hong Kong’s ageing population and the increasing number of elders living
alone, their mental and physical health demands urgent attention. This joint
survey with Food Angel shows that even a warm greeting or a simple game can
make a significant difference in helping elders feel supported in their daily
battle against loneliness. We’re confident that this new initiative will spark
conversations with our elders, fostering a more caring and inclusive
community.
The survey also found that around one-tenth
of elderly respondents felt “helpless, anxious, or ignored” in the past week.
On the topic of social interaction, 85% of elders agreed that physical
exercises or games are helpful or very helpful for their mental and physical
well-being. However, only 35% make it a regular habit.
Among non-elderly respondents, 60%
acknowledged that loneliness significantly impacts the daily lives of elders.
Caregivers noted that “preparing meals” (36%) takes up the majority of their
time when caring for elders at home, while physical activities or games ranked
lowest in priority. Respondents also identified health issues (66%), lack of
social interaction (63%), and distant family relationships (50%) as the primary
causes of elderly loneliness.
The Foundation has long supported Food
Angel’s food assistance initiatives and, in 2023, unveiled a three-year
partnership to scale up cook-chill meal production facilities. This year, The
Foundation and Food Angel aim to go beyond providing warm meals by enhancing
the physical and mental well-being of elders. Stay tuned for the month-end
reveal of a new initiative designed to improve their all-around well-being,
sharpen hand-eye coordination, and encourage the public to connect with local
elders.
About The Hong Kong Elderly
Loneliness Survey
This September, the
Foundation and Food Angel joined hands to commission the pollster company
YouGov to conduct the survey, aimed at understanding the mental health of Hong
Kong's elderly, and uncovering ways to boost their physical, mental, and social
well-being. The survey reached 1,031 Hong Kong residents, primarily through
online questionnaires. 103 in-person interviews with elders aged 65+ were also
conducted by the Food Angel team.
