Search

Purpose: This study examines an age simulation program in Hong Kong concerning the possible integrative impacts of an experiential education approach and contact experience within a natural social network among younger individuals. Method: A sample of 1121 younger individuals participated in this study. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the impact of the age simulation program. Results: The results of structural equation modeling indicated the effective impact of the age-simulation program on promoting positive attitudes toward older adults among the younger participants (β = 0.28, p <.001). The significant results of contact experience highlighted the way in which familial contact experience could bring about more positive attitudes toward the older adults (β = 0.08, p <.01) than peer group contact can (β = −0.08, p <.05). Discussion: The protocol of the presented program could provide an actionable framework for social workers and allied professionals to launch related service plans in the communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to investigate the relationship between body measures and the presence of two frailty‐related phenotypes, and the moderating effect of age on this relationship. This is a secondary data analysis of the baseline data of an interventional study. The participants were residents of seven districts in Hong Kong, aged 55 or older, able to ambulate independently and to function well cognitively. Pre‐frailty refers to the presence of two frailty‐related phenotypes: low physical activity or poor handgrip strength or both. Included in the study were 199 individuals with a mean age of 73.43 (SD 7.54). Regression models showed that body weight (OR = 0.95, 95% CI 0.92–0.99, p <.05) was significantly associated with pre‐frailty, as was body height (OR = 0.88, 95% CI 0.83–0.94, p <.001). Age is a significant moderator of the relationship between pre‐frailty and body weight and body height. The effect of body weight (beta = −0.044, p <.05) and height (beta = −0.16, p <.001) on pre‐frailty was significant and negative in the younger age groups. The findings indicate that raw body measures (i.e. body weight, body height) are more predictive of pre‐frailty than BMI in older Chinese people. However, in the old‐old group, these measures are not significant predictors of pre‐frailty in Chinese community‐dwelling adults. Practitioners should consider adopting body measures as predictors of pre‐frailty in the younger‐old population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study evaluated an intergenerational interaction program set in a nonfamilial context to combat age-related stereotypes and to facilitate positive interactions between the young and elderly in Hong Kong. Method: A quasi-experimental design was adopted. A total of 312 participants were recruited: 73 older and 78 young participants in the intervention group and 77 older and 84 young participants in the comparison group. Standardized measurements of intergenerational attitude, sense of comfort with cross-age groups, and intergenerational interaction were used during pre- and posttest. Results: The intervention group showed positive change in intergenerational attitude and sense of comfort. There were also positive changes in most aspects of intergenerational interaction in the intervention group. Discussion: This research provides preliminary evidence of the effectiveness of the intervention model and offers many implications for service directions. The findings enrich cumulative knowledge about factors contributing to the reduction of age-related stereotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]