The pandemic has seen a huge increase in the social isolation of Hong Kong's elderly. To help them reconnect with each other and the community, the Elder Academy of the EdUHK and its partners, the Evangelical Lutheran Church Hong Kong, the Jade Club and Innoage Hub, will run a series of free online lectures and interest classes from April to June.
The online classes will provide diverse learning opportunities for the elderly who have been fighting the pandemic at home for a long time. Online lectures include sharing sessions on long-distance running, travel, acupoint massage and household cleaning. Elderly people can also join online interest classes on dancing, yoga, Putonghua, painting, cooking, flower arrangement, etc.
"Classes and activities in elderly community centres have been suspended over the pandemic, and this greatly affects the social life and learning of the elderly. Our online classes not only benefit the participants but also those who volunteer as tutors. Trained tutors, who are talented in their own right, share their knowledge, skills and interests with elders in the community," Prof Maureen Tam, Director of the Elder Academy said.
Prof Tam also pointed out that the free online programme is a result of the concerted work of the University, social welfare sector, and social enterprises. She hoped that different sectors of the community could join hands and contribute to the society during the pandemic.
Click here for more details about the online activities.
As the work of the Elder Academy illustrates, we seek to enhance public understanding of the importance of elder learning and take lifelong learning to the NEXT LEVEL.
