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JC JoyAge:

Holistic Support Project for Elderly Mental Wellness

Local epidemiological studies have shown that nearly 10% of the elderly population of Hong Kong have clinical levels of depressive symptoms. Factors such as stress, health problems and a lack of social engagement usually contribute to the vulnerability of older adults and higher risks of elderly depression and other major illnesses. In response to this concern, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust approved over HK$678 million to initiate the “JC JoyAge: Jockey Club Holistic Support Project for Elderly Mental Wellness” (JC JoyAge).

Through cross-sectoral collaboration, JC JoyAge provides a community-based supporting network for our senior citizens to enhance their resiliency in facing the challenges of ageing. Since 2016, the service model bridges District Elderly Community Centres (“DECCs”) and Integrated Community Centres for Mental Wellness (“ICCMWs”) to establish a collaborative and integrated service model, which renders standardised prevention and timely intervention services for the older adults at-risk of or with depressive symptoms, according to their risk level and severity of symptoms. The project has been successfully implemented in all 18 districts since 2022, covering over 70% of service units providing community mental health services and district elderly services. Starting in 2024, JC JoyAge has further expanded its service to a wider age group on top of the elderly, serving people with depressive symptoms aged 45 or above, and will strengthen social-medical collaboration in the community.

Project Achievements

(Since 2016)

Number of Ambassadors Trained

Number of Peer Supporters Trained

Number of Social Workers Trained

1 K

Served more than 10,000 older adults at risk of or with depressive symptom

Over 90% older people with depressive symptoms
showing improvement

1 K

outreach

101,000 outreach and engagement sessions provided to 4,333 older adults at risk or with depressive symptoms.

times

More effective in preventing as compared to traditional services.

times

More effective in treatment as compared to traditional services.

HK$ 1

For every HK$ 1 invested in the project, HK$ 2.14 was saved for healthcare system and HK$ 3.10
was created for social value.

COVID-19 and Mental Wellness of older people

To understand the safety behaviours of local older adults amid the COVID-19 pandemic, HKU research team and partner NGOs surveyed 8,382 older adults aged 60 or above, between February 2020 and August 2020 over telephone interview.

Over 90% older adults have epidemic prevention awareness and take action.

Over 80% older adults received support and around 10% provided support to others under the pandemic.

One in ten older adults reported depressive or anxiety symptoms, half of them reported with both. The mental health of older adults remained stable in the pandemic as compared to that without the pandemic.

Among the older adults, young-olds (aged 60 to 79), female and dementia carers were more susceptible to higher rates of depressive and anxiety symptoms.