Later Life-Planning Project – Preliminary Research Results Sharing Workshop

Due to increased longevity and improved health, longer retirement periods highlight the growing importance of proactive and continuous planning for later life. However, many older adults have not been adequately prepared for their retirement life. Recently, the HKSAR government announced the decision to expand the service scope of District Elderly Community Centres (DECCs) and Neighbourhood Elderly Centres (NECs) to cover retirement planning. It becomes increasingly crucial to develop a theory-driven, validated service model for enhancing older adults’ later-life planning and well-being.

Supported by the Department of Applied Social Science at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and led by Prof. Bai Xue, our team at Research Centre for Gerontology and Family Studies (RCGFS) has established a theory-guided multidimensional later life planning intervention model. Since this August, our team launched the pilot trial, using motivational interviewing, photovoice, and educational approaches. A total of 60 older adults participated in a five-week intervention. The results showed participants’ significant improvement in later-life planning across the finance, health, family life, social life, and long-term care dimensions.

Our centre would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Hong Kong Council of Social Service for providing the valuable platform. A special thanks goes to Ms. Katie Wong, the Chief Officer (Elderly Service), for her efforts in organizing the project sharing workshop. On November 27, 2024, our team shared the preliminary research results and provided service training. The workshop attracted over 60 service providers from over 30 DECCs and NECs, including Head of Service, Service Directors, social workers, and others. Our sharing has led to significant improvements in their knowledge and confidence in providing later life planning services.

With the additional funding support from General Research Fund (GRF) of Research Grants Committee (RGC), in the next two years, our centre intends to work with over 20 DECCs and NECs to reach out and benefit more older adults and families in Hong Kong. RCGFS is committed to enhancing older adults’ later life planning and well-being.

For any enquiries, please feel free to contact Dr. Wang (Tel: 3400 8971/Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or Ms. Huang (Tel: 2766 5718/ Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).