1. Perceptions of successful ageing by senior adults in Hong Kong: Implications for lifelong learning Panel Discussion at Book Launch 28 February 2012 Dr. Maureen Tam

2. Research aims To identify factors associated with ageing well, in particular, among the elderly in Hong Kong To understand their needs, interests, and barriers to continuous learning To draw implications for facilitating and supporting lifelong learning for older adults in Hong Kong

3. Objectives/Research questions How senior adults in HK perceive ‘successful’ or ‘active’ ageing? How well senior adults in HK are ageing in terms of a subjective measure of self-reported experience? To what extent learning is perceived as important in their ageing process? What learning needs and interests, as well as barriers to learning? What implications for policy and provision for elder learning in HK?

4. Definition of ‘successful’ ageing WHO defined it as “the process of optimizing opportunities for health, participation and security in order to enhance quality of life as people age.” It is multi-dimensional which includes physical, functional, psychological and social health (Phelan et al., 2004).

5. Theories/Models 1.Rowe & Kahn (1998) - 3 components: avoidance of disease, maintenance of cognitive capacity, active engagement with life - too restrictive as it looks at “diseased versus normal ageing” rather than “successful ageing” - those who are mentally active but physically limited or diseased will be excluded.

6. 2. Baltes and Baltes (1990) -model of “selective optimization with compensation” -ageing is subjective and unique -elders optimize chances of achieving desirable outcomes by choosing activities that suit their abilities and can compensate for their limitations.

7. 3. Phelan et al. (2004) & Strawbridge et al. (2002) -a constructive approach - asks elders about successful ageing and identify attributes and measures of wellbeing as predictors of successful ageing.

8. Methodology Approach: -Adopt the constructive approach -Elders tell what they mean by successful ageing and the underlying factors they regard as important Sample: -A sample of 50 elders from HKIEd Elder Academy -A convenient and biased sample as focus is on elders who are currently engaged in learning

9. Data collection By way of a questionnaire In two parts Part 1 – elders’ views on successful ageing and those underlying factors they regard as important Part 2 – determine the role of learning in successful ageing; find out their needs, interests, and barriers to learning

10. Report on preliminary findings Most important factors for successful ageing: Being able to make choices about things that affect how you age Continue to learn Feeling good about yourself Remaining in good health until/close to death Feeling satisfied with your life Being able to meet your needs and wants Have a sense of peace about not living forever

11. Less important factors for successful ageing Living a very long time Being able to act according to your own inner standards or values Being able to do paid or volunteer work after usual retirement age Staying involved with the world and people around you Feeling that you have been able to influence others’ lives in positive ways Having a family who are there for you Having friends who are there for you

12. How well they are ageing Fair 4% Quite Good 16% Good 28% Very Good 38% Excellent12%

13. What do they want to learn? Health Cultural and historical studies Teaching Sports ICT Theoretical subjects (e.g. philosophy, sociology, politics, religion, etc.)

14. Why do they continue to learn? Always wanted to go to school Life enrichment Self-fulfillment Interest in specific courses/subjects Keep up-to-date with the society For leisure

15. How does learning facilitate successful ageing? Fulfill my life Better mental health Broaden horizons Being able to pursue an area/subject of interest Feel happy Become more knowledgeable Have a positive attitude towards life Gain self-confidence Make me feel young, alive, and connected

16. What are the barriers to participation in learning? Personal health reasons Health of a family member Could not get into the courses I wanted Look after family members Memory issue Could not meet the requirements of the courses

17. What can be done to enhance learning? Government supports whole or part of tuition fee Cheap or reasonable tuition fee Institution provides a rich variety of courses for selection Easy access to and use of campus and classroom facilities Institution provides IT support Scholarship Increase the enrolment quota for elderly students

18. Way forward Further analyses will be conducted to identify variables that predict how likely it is for a senior to age successfully. Identify relationships between learning and elders’ self-ratings of successful ageing Draw implications for policy and practice of elder learning in Hong Kong.

19. End of presentation Thank you