The Asia Pacific Institute
of Ageing Studies (APIAS) was established in 1998 to facilitate and develop research
and training in gerontology and issues related to population ageing in Hong Kong
and the Asia-Pacific region. It also acts as a focus for Lingnan’s undergraduate
and postgraduate teaching in gerontology. APIAS adopts a range of research methodologies.
The research studies are diversified and applied oriented which aim to enrich
research outcomes and teaching quality. Specific research themes include: intergenerational
studies; community health and social care studies; and evidence-based policy studies.
APIAS continues to act as the leading Institute for the Ageing
Research Network of the Asian Development Research Forum which provides a comprehensive
data bank and skills transfer for professionals, researchers and social practitioners
and promotes synergy in cross-country studies in the Asia Pacific region. APIAS’s
international collaborations include the Asian Development Research Forum (ADRF),
United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP),
and the World Health Organization (WHO).
The Institute also provides a range of courses and training
programs aiming at strengthening training and learning amongst students in Lingnan
University and amongst health care professionals. There has been wide support
from government departments and the service community. In line with the motto
of “Education for Service” of Lingnan University, APIAS has pioneered
the development of Service Learning programs to encourage a life-long commitment
to community services of students in Hong Kong.
Exploring Elders’
Needs for Radio Programs and Their Attitudes towards Radio Programs
In the past several years,
APIAS was deeply concerned with the activities in which Hong Kong elders participated
in their daily lives with the intention of identifying effective measures that
are conducive to improving the quality of life of older persons. The studies
on pet raising (2007), mahjong game (2005a), gardening (2004), outbound traveling
(2005b), computer and internet usage (2003a), sponsored activities (2003b),
to name a few, reported positive effects on elders’ quality of life by
various activities.
The recent study on Hong
Kong elders’ needs for good radio programs and their attitudes towards
current radio programs for elders is a continuation of APIAS’s prolonged
effort in research into the improvement of elders’ quality of life. This
study aims at investigating the relationship between the contents of the RTHK
radio programs for elders and the physical and psychological health conditions
of the elderly people by means of in-depth discussions facilitated by experienced
APIAS researchers in seven focus-groups of about 10 elders each. Specifically,
the study is to investigate the patterns of the elderly with regard to their
listening to the radio programs for elders, the needs and preferences of the
elderly in concern with the contents of the radio programs for elders, and the
impacts of the radio programs on the quality and satisfaction of life of the
elderly.
The findings of the study
reveal that (a) more than 80% of the participating elders listen to the radio
programs every day; (b) the radio programs favored by elders are of Chinese
operas, cultural concerns, dramas, education, music and “phone-in programs”;
(c) participating elders turn on their radios habitually for companionship,
information update, education, entertainment, relaxation, communication and
networking; (d) by listening to and communication with others on radio, participating
elders feel happy in themselves, being accepted by others, and living a better
life than otherwise.
In conclusion, the RTHK
radio programs for elders are favored by the participating elderly audience
and successful in improving their physical and psychological well being towards
active ageing as well. In addition, the feedbacks from the participating elders
are productive and constructive with regard to sustaining and improving the
subsequent RTHK radio programs for elders.
Instilling Whole-person Development via Liberal Arts and Moral Education
One of APIAS’s research focuses is on students’ personal development
via liberal arts education. The 2-year research project on the whole-person
development of more than 1,000 students from 11 primary and secondary schools
all over Hong Kong is a large-scale collaborative endeavour between APIAS and
school principals and teachers, which is generously funded by QEF of the EMB
(recently renamed EDB). By means of active and interactive participation in
learning projects, workshops, performing art, and intergeneration teamwork,
students learn, live and grow in a facilitating environment, that is effectively
conducive to their personal development and in which they have never experienced
before. Although the project is approaching its completion within months, preliminary
findings reveal that students learn and grow happily, develop into a balanced
“whole person”, successfully communicate with older generation,
and are, above all, become active learners.
In addition to positive
student outcomes, teachers are also benefited a great deal from their participation
in the project. Firstly, teacher’s role in school has been noticeably
changed from a “knowledge presenter” to a “learning facilitator”.
Secondly, teacher’s teaching strategy has been significantly changed from
“didactic teaching” to “facilitating of learning” with
performance of magic and drama, story telling, workshops, discussions and group
projects. Thirdly, teachers are better knowledgeable and understandable about
the ageing issues and problems as well as the harmony and mingling of cross-generations.
A number of elders also make important contribution to the success of the project.
They intermingle with teachers and students while participating in workshops,
group projects and discussions. As reflected by the elders, they enjoy a happy
life toward active ageing by participating in the project.
> More info http://www.ln.edu.hk/new/
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