Lifelong learning

Volunteers in Hong Kong are involved in various projects, but there seems to be no structured pathway for personal development.

"Traditionally, the less-educated elderly, who used to be blue-collar workers, could only take on easy-to-learn volunteer work that required minimal training," Lum said.

The emerging generation of seniors, however, has higher expectations for their involvement in volunteer work.

Another program led by Lum — JC JoyAge: Jockey Club Holistic Support Project for Elderly Mental Wellness — is making changes in this regard. JC JoyAge has trained more than 6,600 elderly volunteer "ambassadors" to promote mental health in the community. A total of 920 have been trained as peer supporters — a role that requires an additional 80 hours of mental health training.

Peer supporters are assigned for nine-month periods to assist elderly people experiencing mental distress, providing one-on-one support through their recovery. The support work involves checking on the elderly person and accompanying them to medical appointments.

"We offer the elderly (volunteers) the opportunity to give it a try and if they like what they are doing, we will provide them different choices to get their skills up to standard, thus making them realize that volunteerism can be a lifelong learning process," Lum said.

After spending a lifetime working in the same job or industry, most individuals enter retirement with a clear idea of what they want to learn and accomplish in their volunteer endeavors, he said.

Lum cited a case of a retired nurse who joined the JC JoyAge program as a peer supporter.

She had spent almost her entire career within the confines of a hospital ward, contending with a monotonous work environment. Her demanding job left her with little time to socialize with peers, or participate in activities outside work.

In her role as a peer supporter, however, she has found happiness and satisfaction. She has had the opportunity to better interact with her peers, and gained insights on how to improve her relationships with family members.

The need for skilled volunteers is compounded by Hong Kong's rapidly aging population.

The HKSAR government's latest projection showed the number of people aged 65 and over will increase to 2.74 million by 2046, accounting for 36 percent of the city's population, and up from 1.45 million, or 20.5 percent, in 2021.

If each senior dedicates half a day per week to volunteer work, the impact could be substantial. "Many people fail to recognize that social engagement is actually more crucial for retirees than for those who are still employed," Lum said.

Hong Kong Executive Councilor Lam said being a volunteer could significantly benefit the mental health of the elderly, especially those who are starting retirement, by reducing loneliness and depression and improving emotional well-being.