The 9th Cross-Border Elderly Care Seminar - Opportunities and Challenges of Ageing in Greater Bay Area: Cross-border Services Amid of Covid-19

The 9th Cross-Border Elderly Care Seminar, themed “Opportunities and Challenges of Ageing in Greater Bay Area: Cross-border Services Amid of Covid-19” was held online on 22 January 2021. The seminar, jointly organised by eight local research institutes/societies and associations, attracted 270 participants to attend, including elderly care professionals and people who are interested in cross-border elderly care.

Organisers of the seminar included: the Centre for Gerontological Nursing, School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU); PolyU’s Department of Applied Social Sciences and Institute of Active Ageing ; Sau Po Centre on Ageing, The University of Hong Kong (HKU); Asia-Pacific Institute of Ageing Studies, Lingnan University; Hong Kong Association of Gerontology; Helping Hand;, and Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation.

This seminar gave an opportunity for participants to learn more about elderly care services across the border. It also aimed to urge the Hong Kong government and the elderly care sector to support cross-border elderly care so that older adults in Hong Kong can plan ahead to age in the Greater Bay area (GBA).

Prof. Wen Zhuoyi Vincent, Research Assistant Professor, Asia-Pacific Institute of Ageing Studies, Lingnan University, moderated the seminar. Dr Justina Liu, Associate Professor and Deputy Director of the Centre for Gerontological Nursing, School of Nursing, PolyU, said in her welcoming speech that the provision of medical services and social resources in the GBA are the key elements in promoting cross-border ageing.

Mr Yuen Man Chung, Commissioner for the Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, delivered a keynote speech to review the government’s measures in promoting Hong Kong older adults ageing in the GBA and overview policies announced by the central government and the ministries and commissions of Guangdong Province on living or ageing in the GBA.

Prof. Chung-Mau Lo, Hospital Chief Executive, University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital [also Chin Lan Hong Professor and Chair of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery; Chief of Division of Liver Transplantation, HKU/Queen Mary Hospital], talked about the development of the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital in the past nine years and how to innovate cross-border medical service and promote the integration of medical services in the GBA. Mr Jacob Wong, Councilor of Life Insurance Council and Member of Task Force on Greater China Affairs, The Hong Kong Federation of Insurers, outlined the needs and considerations of retirees, and introduced the retirement protection in Hong Kong as well as the retirement protection and medical insurance plans in the in the GBA.

Dr Lou Wei Qun, Vivian, the Director of Sau Po Centre on Ageing, HKU, moderated the panel discussion. Dr Leung Pui-Yu Pamela, Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation, talked about the challenges in operating the Hong Kong Jockey Club Yee Hong Height, a rehabilitation and elderly care centre in Shenzhen during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as limitations on transporting medical supplies and the telemedicine system, border restrictions hindering residents returning to Hong Kong to attend medical consultations. She also talked about the supportive measures from the Hong Kong and Shenzhen governments during the pandemic. Mr Colman Wong, Chief Executive Officer, Helping Hand, shared how their elderly home in Zhaoqing operated during the pandemic and talked about their administrative arrangements, infection control measures, and entertainment and recreational activities for their residents.

Ms. Zhou Xiao-yan, President, Guangdong Professional Social Workers Association, spoked about the practice of social work for older adults in the GBA and introduced the institutional elderly care service and ageing in place in Guangdong Province. Dr Leung Man Fuk Edward, President, Hong Kong Association of Gerontology, gave a closing remarks to conclude the seminar.