Caring for the elderly: Hong Kong social club branch managed by young woman who ‘wanted to follow in Jesus’ footsteps’ provides physical and mental health boost
- Many Hong Kong seniors feel cut off from society after retirement; Allie Li at the Tseung Kwan O branch of the Woopie Club helps them reconnect and get active
- Physical and mental health risks have also been compounded by Covid-19, which has isolated many from their family and community
Loneliness among the elderly is a growing problem in Hong Kong. Allie Li Sheung-mei has seen it first-hand.
Swaying her arms to a tune by 80s Hong Kong rock band Beyond, Li encourages a group of elderly men and women in front of her to follow suit. Some wave colourful styrofoam pool noodles while others clap their hands.
“Exercises, games and group interactions are a major part of what we do here,” says Li.
The scene is a typical one at the Tseung Kwan O branch of the Woopie Club, a non-profit that provides care services for the city’s elderly, a demographic that’s on the rise. A report titled “Hong Kong Population Projections 2020-2069” estimates that by 2039, about a third of Hongkongers – or some 2.52 million – will be retirement-aged, up from 1.2 million in 2019.
Li says the Woopie Club’s outreach services include meal deliveries, escorting elderly people to hospital appointments, and care for those who are bed- or chair-bound.
