The Hong Kong Association of Gerontology (Association), a member of International Association of Gerontology since 1989, was founded in 1986 by a group of professionals including geriatricians, nurses, social workers, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, clinical psychologists and academics. It was established with the aim of promoting the discipline of gerontology and improving the quality of age care services in Hong Kong.
Vision
Hong Kong is the most caring society for the golden age in Asia.
Mission
To Promote the advancement of health care, social care and long-term care of older people in Hong Kong and the furtherance of studies and education in gerontology.
Values
- Global Link
- Proactivity
- Community partnership
- Multidisciplinary approach
- Effectiveness and efficiency
- Continuous quality improvement
- Responsiveness to needs of older people in Hong Kong
Objectives
- To establish links with gerontology organizations outside Hong Kong to promote mutual understanding and cooperation.
- To promote concern on aged care services through cooperation with other sectors in Hong Kong
- To promote development of aged care services in Hong Kong to improve quality of life among older people
- To promote development of research in gerontology
- To promote training and education in gerontology to enhance quality of aged care services
Training Experience
For more than a decade, the Association has been working diligently towards these objectives. It has organized over 400 training workshops and courses for members and for aged care workers. It has also held lectures and seminars regularly on care for older persons in Hong Kong, Asia and the World.
Academic and Scientific Activities
Locally, the Association has been holding Annual Congresses of Gerontology since 1992. The Annual Congress provides opportunities for local key government officials, local practitioners, and local and internationally renounced gerontologists to share their academic studies, knowledge and experiences.Regionally, the Association hosted the 5th Asia/Oceania Regional Congress of Gerontology in 1995. The Congress has attracted more than 1100 delegates from different parts of the world and provided a good platform for interflow of ideas and experiences for gerontologists and practitioners in the field.Internationally, the Association has established good networks with many different countries, especially with Mainland China and Macau, through in-service training, academic exchanges and scientific activities. As a result, many study tours and visits have been conducted and firm friendships were formed.In March 2002, the Association has hosted the First World Congress of Long Term Care in Chinese Communities, which had over 400 participants from seven countries.
Public Education
With the support of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the Association holds regular seminars for the public in different districts to introduce community resources and to promote public awareness on the importance of physical health, psychological health and mental health. The Association also plays an active role in advocacy, ensuring the proper development of policy relating to aged care by working closely with representatives of aged care services providers and officials from the Health and Welfare Bureau, Social Welfare Department as well as the Elderly Commission. In addition, the Hong Kong Association of Gerontology has submitted many policy proposals and statements on various aspects of aged care. It has established a recognized channel for consultation in policy and practice.
Publication
The Association has been publishing the “Hong Kong Journal of Gerontology” twice yearly since 1987. Besides, the Association has joined hands with the Hong Kong Geriatrics Society to publish “Asian Journal of Gerontology and Geriatrics” from June 2006 onward. The Journals covers scientific papers on various aspects of aged care.The Association also regularly publishes a quarterly newsletter “Gerontology News”, to provide channels of communication for its members, associates, government departments, non-government departments, and aged care services providers from April 2005 onward.
Organization Chart
