Positive ageing: the views of middle-aged and older adults in Hong Kong

Life expectancy has been increasing rapidly in many parts of the world, including Hong Kong. A longer life can be welcome as an Opportunity to fulfil as yet unmet aspirations, or to take up new challenges and projects, but it may also be a burden, especially for individuals who are unprepared. A pressing question for longer-life societies is: how may older people live then-longer lives to the full positively? This article reports a qualitative study of Hong Kong Chinese people's views about 'positive ageing', as expressed and discussed in 15 focus groups of middle-aged and older people. Two themes emerged: first, the participants considered LhaL positive ageing should comprise good health, having a positive life attitude, active engagement with an activity or with society, feeling supported by their families and friends, being financially Secure, and living in a place with emotional ties; and secondly, several key factors that enable positive ageing were identified, namely, adopting a healthy lifestyle, thinking positively, promoting family and inter-personal relationships, and building up financial resources. The views of' the participants about 'positive ageing' are compared with those reported frorn western studies, and the policy, implications are considered.