Grandchildren step up to care for aging grandparents in Hong Kong
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In Hong Kong, grandchildren are increasingly responsible for caring for their ailing grandparents, often motivated by a desire to repay childhood care and ease the burden on their parents.
A study by the Asia-Pacific Institute of Aging Studies (APIAS) at Lingnan University interviewed 40 grandchildren aged 15 to 63 who currently or previously cared for grandparents with conditions like cancer, heart disease, and dementia.
Researchers discovered that many grandchildren felt a strong sense of family responsibility and wished to reciprocate the care they had received from their grandparents when they were young. Many participants balanced caregiving with their own education or work, filling gaps when parents and other relatives were unavailable. The study also revealed a challenge for these young caregivers: a lack of formal training in nursing and caregiving skills, sometimes leading to physical strain and the need for medical attention.
However, the researchers noted a changing dynamic in Hong Kong families. With more households employing foreign domestic helpers for childcare, grandparents may have fewer opportunities to build close relationships with their grandchildren. APIAS suggests that this shift could weaken the traditional support network for elders and recommends that government and social welfare organizations promote intergenerational activities and provide training for young caregivers to ensure a sustainable system of elder care.
