Introduction
The SWSA researchers have been leading the development of elderly services in Hong Kong since 1990s. Our researchers led the development of the long term care assessment instrument in Hong Kong. We also contributed to the development of the long term care voucher and care allowance for older frail older people. Currently, Professor Terry Lum and Professor Vivian Lou are leading an effort to enhance the long term care infrastructure of Hong Kong. Dr. Ernest Chui are helping the HKSAR Government to develop its Elderly Services Program Plan. Professor Lum and Dr. Wong are working with the Hong Kong Housing Society to develop its aging-in-place program for frail elders living in low income public housing estates. Prof Lum and Dr. Lou are working with the District Councils and community stakeholders to make the Central and Western District and the Wanchai District more age friendly. Professor Lum are leading the GrandMove program to promote Elders’ Robustness against Frailty. Professor Cecilia Chan and Dr. Amy Chow are leading an effort to enhance the end-of-life care in Hong Kong.
Professor Vivian Lou is leading a research centre on gerontology, namely Sau Po Centre on Ageing to enhance the quality-of-life of older people in China, overseas Chinese societies and in the Asian Pacific region through research, education and knowledge exchange activities. The joint effort of our interdisciplinary team and our collaborators has been contributing to the well-being empowerment of the older population. The Centre’s consultancy work has been shaping the development of long term care policies in Hong Kong since 2000s. It is well placed to connect the mainland China to the global world on the development of gerontological research and knowledge transfer. The Centre is also honored to serve as the hub of Hong Kong interRAI team to apply local RAI data to understand the elder care and mental health services in Hong Kong. To guide research studies to development direction, several strategic research focuses are identified by theme and by population:
Research by Themes
1
Long-term care
2
Age-friendly city
3
Ageing-in-place
4
Meaningful ageing
5
Active and healthy ageing
6
Social determinants of well-being
Proposed Themes
7
Social welfare policy for older adults
8
Social gerontology and lifecourse
9
Health & well-being
10
Community care
11
Integrative body-mind-spirit intervention
12
Meaning and growth through pain
13
Practice innovation (social R & D)
14
Social enterprises for active ageing
15
Geriatric mental health
16
Development and aging (i.e., aging as developmental process)
Research by Population
1
People with dementia
2
People with stroke
3
People in end stage of life
4
Aged people with lifetime disabilities
5
Family caregivers
6
Volunteers
Proposed Population
7
People in low income
8
Rural population
9
Older people living with mental disorders
10
Healthy older adults
Cluster Members
Prof. Cecilia Lai Wan Chan
Prof. Amy Chow
Prof. Vivian Lou
Prof. Terry Lum
Prof. Cao Y. Sally
Prof. Cheryl H.K. CHUI
Prof. PENG Chenhong
Prof. Peiyi Lu
Prof. LU S.Y, Tracy
Prof. Ethan Siu Leung Cheung
Funded Projects
| Topic | PI/Co-Investigator | Funding sources | Award Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing insecurity in a super-aged society: a mixed-method study on the living experience in Hong Kong housing and the pathway to healthy aging | PI: Prof. Peiyi Lu | Early Career Scheme HK$639,054 | 2026-2028 |
| Do home modifications prevent disability and reduce disability-related outcomes? A multinational longitudinal comparative study of older adults living at home and their caregivers. | PI: Prof. Chandola, Tarani Co-I: Prof. Vivian Lou | General Research Fund, Research Grants Council HK$823,662 | 2025-2027 |
| Rethinking the role of social support exchange for healthy aging in later life: A longitudinal mixed method using timebanking as a case study | Project Director: Prof. Shiyu Tracy Lu Co-Project Directors: Prof. Cheryl Chui | General Research Fund, Research Grants Council HK$ 703,148 | 2025-2027 |
| Ambivalence in Decision Making for Independent Outdoor Mobility among Adult Child Carers of People with Dementia: A Biopsychosocial Model | PI: Prof. Vivian Lou | General Research Fund, Research Grants Council HK$1,729,226 | 2025-2026 |
| Effects of time delay on prospective memory in young, middle-aged, and older adults: A behavioural and near infrared spectroscopy study | PI: Prof. David Shum Co-I: Prof. Sally Cao | General Research Fund, Research Grants Council HK$607,600 | 2025-2026 |
| Assistant robot in supporting old adults | Co-PI: Prof. Vivian Lou | Research Grants Council $34,211,000 | 2024-2028 |
| JC Inclusive employment program for persons with disabilities. | PI: Prof. Terry Lum | Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, Award amount: HK$13.02 million | 2024-2027 |
| JC JoyAge: Jockey Club Holistic Support Project for Elderly Mental Wellness (Phase 2) Mental Health Project in Primary Care Setting (JC JoyAge III) | PI: Prof. Terry Lum | Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust HK$55,040,000 | 2024-2027 |
| Jockey Club Stand by-U 2.0 Project | PI: Prof. Vivian Lou | Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, Award amount: HK$23.83 million | 2024-2027 |
| Achieving Successful Caregiving through Social Media Engagement | PI: Prof. Vivian Lou | General Research Fund, Research Grants Council $1,147,015 | 2024-2025 |
| Effects of aging on theory of mind: A study using age- and context- appropriate assessment tool for adulthood | PI: Prof. David Shum Co-I: Prof. Sally Cao | General Research Fund, Research Grants Council HK$627,500 | 2024-2025 |
| Social Cognitive Abilities in Healthy, Sub-clinical and Patients | Project Coordinator Prof. Sally Cao | Beijing-Hong Kong University Alliance (UGC-Education Bureau) | 2024 |
| Trust Initiated Project: District-based Caregiver Support Units Project (Jockey Club Carer Space Project) | PI: Prof. Vivian Lou | Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, Award amount: $44,360,000 | 2023-2028 |
| Apply Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) in the development of community social capital through timebank strategy. | PI: Prof. Terry Lum | Community Inclusive and Investment Fund of HKSAR Government HK$4,132,000 | 2023-2026 |
| Strength and Conditioning Training Robots: AI Sensing and Feedback Approach | Co-I: Prof. Vivian Lou | HKSI $15,835,040 | 2023-2025 |
| Who Cares for Sandwiched Ageing Carers? Effects of Intergenerational Care Provision on Future Care Planning | PI: Prof. Chen, Juan Co-I: Prof. Vivian LOU | General Research Fund, Research Grants Council $1,439,022 | 2023-2025 |
| Volunteer Engagement and Healthy Aging in Later Life: A Mixed Method Study | Project Director: Prof. Shiyu Tracy Lu. Co-Project Director: Prof. Cheryl Chui | Early Career Scheme, Research Grants Council HK$ 506,211 | 2023-2025 |
| Distance Caregiving: Intercultural Perspectives on Future Home Care | PI: Prof. Vivian Lou | Germany/Hong Kong Joint Research Scheme 2022/23 (Research Grants Council (RGC)) – 2022 $184,500 | 2023-2024 |
| Effects of a decision support intervention on end-of-life care planning in patients with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and their family members: A mixed method approach | PI: Prof Chan, Helen Yue-lai Co-I: Prof. Vivian Lou Prof Chan Yip, Carmen Wing-han Dr Wegier, Pete Prof Woo, Jean Dr Yuen, Jacqueline Kwan Yuk | General Research Fund, Research Grants Council $918,997 | 2023-2024 |
| Social prescribing of virtual reality urban greenness with peer support model to promote mental health among aging population: an effectiveness and feasibility study | Project Director: Prof. Shiyu Tracy Lu. Co-Project Directors: Prof. Cheryl Chui; Prof. Linyan Li | Healthy Longevity Catalyst Awards (Hong Kong), Research Grants Council HK$ 388,978 | 2023-2024 |
| Understanding the dynamic nature of the healthy aging framework: A real-time assessment of person-environment interaction using smartphone application and ecological momentary assessment | PI: Prof. Terry Lum | General Research Fund, Research Grants Council HK$946,656 | 2023-2024 |
| Jockey Club end-of-life community care project (Phase III) | PI: Prof. Amy Chow Co-I: Prof. Vivian Lou | Jockey Club Charity Trust | 2022-2025 |
| Development and applications of daily-use fall risk assessment device to prevent elderly people from falling | Project Coordinator: Prof. Xi Ning Deputy Project Coordinator: Prof. Vivian Lou | Innovation and Technology Fund $2,873,330 | 2022-2024 |
| E2Power: Engagement and empowerment of communities through social capital development | Project Director: Prof. Terry Lum; Co-Principal Investigator: Prof. Cheryl Chui | Research Impact Fund, Research Grants Council HK$7,000,000 | 2021-2025 |
| The pre-death bereavement care in end-of-life care: what, how and for whom? | PI: Prof. Amy Chow | General Research Fund, Research Grants Council $29,810,000 | 2021-2023 |
Intelligent robotics for elderly assistance in Hong Kong | PI: Prof. W. Wang Co-PI: Prof. Vivian Lou | Theme-based Research Scheme (TBRS) HK$43,333,000 | 2020-2025 |
Bereavement support in COVID-19: Research, Training and Support | PI: Prof. Wang Jian Ping | Beijing Normal University Research Grant HK$590,000 | 2020-2022 |
| Psychological trauma and unsafe behaviour during the COVID-19 epidemic: A mixed-design study of people’s emotion, knowledge, attitude and behaviour | PI: Prof. David Shum Co-I: Prof. Sally Cao | HMRF commissioned research HK$1,408,810 | 2020-2022 |
| The effects of the TimeBank program on promoting voluntary participation among older adults | PI: Prof. Shiyu Lu; Co-I: Prof. Cheryl Chui Prof. Terry Lum | General Research Fund, Research Grants Council HK$944,672 | 2020-2022 |
| When both spouses have functional decline: spousal collaboration dynamics in mastering daily stressors using Ecological Momentary Assessment | PI: Prof. Vivian Lou | General Research Fund, Research Grants Council HK$1,163,688 | 2020-2022 |
| Co-constructing Cultural Competence in Death and Bereavement through Inter-University Synchronous Online Learning | PI: Prof. Amy Chow | University Teaching Development Grant HK$199,847 | 2020-2021 |
| Wearable closed-loop neural control ‘Remind-to-move’ treatment for hemiparetic upper extremity in people with hemiplegia after stroke | PI: Prof. Kenneth Fong Co-PI: Prof. Vivian Lou | Research Impact Fund, Research Grants Council $9,190,000 | 2020-2021 |
Significant Publications
Chen, C., Chow, A. Y. M. & Xu, K. (in press). Bereavement after patient deaths among Chinese physicians and nurses: a qualitative description study. Omega-Journal of Death and Dying. (2019 Q3 73/138, Psychology, Multidisciplinary, JIF:1.347)
Ezulike, C. D., Lu, S, Chiu, Y. L. (Accepted). “God will prosper you for doing this for me”: A Phenomenological Exploration of Older Carers’ Experiences of Informal Caregiving in Nigeria. The Gerontologist.
Jiao, K., Chow, A. Y. M. & Chen, C. (In press). Dyadic relationships between a surviving parent and children in widowed families: a systematic scoping review. Family Process. (2019 Q1 11/47, Family Studies, JIF2.175).
Jiao, K., Chow, A. Y. M., Wang, J., & Chan, I.K.N. (In press). Factors facilitating positive outcomes in community-based end-of-life care: A cross-sectional qualitative study of patients and family caregivers. Palliative Medicine. (2019 Q1 15/102, Health Care Sciences and Services, JIF:3.739)
Lau, T.W.S., Chan, G.S.W, Yip, H. Y., Poon, J. C.K., Tsang, G.K.F., Yip, W. P. W., Chow, A.Y.M., & Beh, P.S.L. (in press). A tale of two surveys: life affirming strategy of mortuary improves quality of bereavement care after hospital death. Omega- Journal of Death and Dying. (2019 Q3 73/138, Psychology, Multidisciplinary, JIF:1.347)
Lu, S., Chui, C. H. K., Lum, T. Y. S. (Accepted). Timebanking Promotes Equitable Volunteering in Older Adults Without Crowding-Out Effects: Evidence from a Quasi-Experimental Study in Hong Kong. The Gerontologist.
Xiu, D., Chow, A. Y. M., & Chan, I. K. N. (in press). Development and psychometric validation of comprehensive end-of-life care competence scale: A study based on three-year surveys for health and social care professionals in Hong Kong. Palliative and Supportive Care.(2019 Q2 42/87, Health Policy & Services, JIF:1.968)
Cheung, E. S. L., Curtis, D. S., Grineski, S., Wei, Y. D., & Wen, M. (2025). Spatial Social Polarization and Cardiometabolic Disease Prevalence and Incidence: What Is the Role of the Neighborhood Environment? Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 00221465251349818.
Chui, C. H. K., Lu, S., Chan, O. F., Cheung, J., & Lum, T. Y. S. (2025). Asset-based community development for dementia-friendly communities (ABCD for DFC): A case in Hong Kong. Research on Aging. https://doi:10.11777/01640275251370237
Lou, V. W., Chan, S. K. L., Tang, V. M. Y., Chandola, T., Chan, W. S., Quan, J., Lum, T. Y. S., Tsoi, T. C. W., Lin, W. W., & Leung, D. K. Y. (2025). Development and Validation of a Carer Need Screening Tool (CNST-11) for Carers of Older Adults: A Need Stratified Tool for Services Matching. The Gerontologist.
Lu, P., Kong, D., & Lou, V. (2025). Childhood housing condition and old age health among Chinese: the mediation role of adulthood socioeconomic and medical history. Journal of Applied Gerontology. 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1177/07334648241309733
Lu, P., Liu, F., Chang, A., & Lou, V. (2025). Who used in-home respite care and was it effective? A systematic review on the influencing factors and program effect of in-home respite care. Geriatric Nursing. 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2025.103428
Yu, M. H. M., Cao, Y., Fung, S. S. Y., Kwan, G. S. Y., Tse, Z. C. K., & Shum, D. H. K. (2025). Aging and intolerance of uncertainty on anxiety and related mental health concerns: A scoping review and meta-analysis. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 110, 102975. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2025.102975
Cao, Y., Kwan, G. S. Y., Tse, Z. C. K., Chow, K. K. S., Kwan, D. K. S., Lam, W. W. Y., & Shum, D. H. K. (2024). Managing uncertainty and loneliness: Protective and risk factors impacting on older people’s mental health in Hong Kong. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 68, 234-255. https://doi.org/10.1080/01634372.2024.2423678
Chan, S. W., Lu, S., Cheng, N. H. C., Chui, C. H.-K., & Yat-Sang Lum, T. (2024). Promoting Charitable Donations and Volunteering Through Nudge Tools From the Perspective of Behavioral Economics: A Systematic Review. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 54(2), 435-461. https://doi.org/10.1177/08997640241258140
Cheung, E. S. L. (2024). Neighborhood gentrification and food insecurity among urban older adults: Evidence from New York City. The Gerontologist, 64(7). https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnae048
Cheung, E. S. L., & Zhang, Z. (2024). Moderating role of neighborhood environment in the associations between hearing loss and cognitive challenges among older adults: Evidence from US National Study. Research on Aging. https://doi.org/10.1177/01640275241234372
Leung, D. K. Y., Fong, A. P. C., Wong, F. H. C., Liu, T., Wong, G. H. Y., & Lum, T. Y. S. (2024). Non-Pharmacological Interventions for Chronic Pain in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. The Gerontologist, gnae010.
Leung, D. K. Y., Wong, N. H. L., Yau, J. H. Y., Wong, F. H. C., Liu, T., Kwok, W.-w., Wong, G. H. Y., & Lum, T. Y. S. (2024). Hybrid-delivered community psychoeducation for people aged 50 and older: A mixed-method evaluation and lesson learned. Internet Interventions, 35, 100699.
Liu, J., Cheung, E. S. L., Lou, Y., & Wu, B. (2024). A peer mentoring program for Chinese American dementia caregivers: A pilot randomized controlled trail. Aging and Mental Health, 28(11), 1479-1488. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2024.2346599
Liu, T., Wang, Y.-H., Ng, Z. L. Y., Zhang, W., Wong, S. M. Y., Wong, G. H.-Y., & Lum, T. Y.-S. (2024). Comparison of networks of loneliness, depressive symptoms, and anxiety symptoms in at-risk community-dwelling older adults before and during COVID-19. Scientific Reports, 14(1), 14737.
Lou, V., Cheng, Y., Xi, N. (2024). Advancing the Development of Intelligent Wearable Robots for Elderly Assistance: An Innovative User-Centric Co-Creation (UC3) Framework. In: Tareq Ahram and Christianne Falcão (eds) Human Factors and Wearable Technologies. AHFE (2024) International Conference. AHFE Open Access, vol 141., 37-47, AHFE International, USA.
Lou, V. W. Q., Yan, Y., Lu, N., & Li, C. (2024). Stressors, Positive and Negative Caregiving Appraisals, and Caregiver Psychological Well‐Being: The Moderating Role of Stages of Dementia. Health & Social Care in the Community, 2024(1).
Lu, P., & Kong, D. (2024). Community-based residential relocation in middle and older age: A US-China comparison study on its predictors and associated mortality risk. Journal of Aging and Health. 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1177/08982643241276270
Lu, P., Kong, D., & Shelley, M. (2024). Perceived housing problems and depressive symptoms among middle-aged and older Americans. Journal of Aging and Social Policy.1-20. https://doi.org/10.1080/08959420.2024.2422672
Lu, P., Kong, D., Shelley, M. & Li, C. (2024). Health effect of elderly family planning subsidy on older Chinese with only one child. Journal of Aging and Social Policy.1-19. https://doi.org/10.1080/08959420.2024.2422659
Lu, S., Chui, C., & Lum, T. (2024). Facilitating volunteer engagement among older adults in social services: A case study of an innovative timebank program in a Chinese society. The Gerontologist, 64(1), gnad010.
Lu, S., Chui, C., Lum, T., Liu, T., Wong, G., & Chan, W. (2024). Promoting Late-Life Volunteering with Timebanking: A Quasi-Experimental Mixed-Methods Study in Hong Kong. Innovation in Aging, igae056.
Ng, S.M., Xie, W., Gao, J., Wang, M., Leung, H., Li, H., Sik, H.H., Lau, B.H.P., Chan, C.L.W. (2024) Posttraumatic growth modulates the response to negative emotions related to COVID-19: An event-related potentials study. Stress and Health. https://doi.org/10.1002/smi.3488
Tan, C. K., Lou, V. W. Q., Cheng, C. Y. M., He, P. C., & Khoo, V. E. J. (2024). Improving the Social Well-Being of Single Older Adults Using the LOVOT Social Robot: Qualitative Phenomenological Study. JMIR Human Factors, 11, e56669-.
Cao, Y., Siu, J. Y-m, Shek, D. T. L., & Shum, D. H. K. (2022). COVID-19 one year on: Identification of at-risk groups for psychological trauma and poor health-protective behaviour using a telephone survey. BMC Psychiatry, 22, 252. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-022-03904-4
Chen, Y.C., Taylor, H.O., Hung, N., & Chan, C.L.W. (2023). Later-life depressive symptoms during the Covid-19 pandemic: Investigations of individual, cumulative, and synergistic effects of social isolation. Aging & Mental Health. 27(9), 1702–1710. doi:10.1080/13607863.2023.2172137.
Chow, A.Y.M., Fordjour, G.A., Lui, J.N.M., Chan, I.K.N., Zhang, A.Y., Chan, C.L.W. (2023) The Physical and Psychosocial Outcomes of a Psychosocial Home-Based end-of-Life Care Intervention in Hong Kong. Journal of Palliative Care. 10.1177/08258597231157346.
Chow, A.Y.M., Zhang, A.Y., Chan, I.K.N., Fordjour, G.A., Lui, J.N.M., Lou, V.W.Q., Chan, C.L.W. (2023) Caregiving Strain Mediates the Relationship Between Terminally Ill Patient’s Physical Symptoms and Their Family Caregivers’ Wellbeing: A Multicentered Longitudinal Study. Journal of Palliative Care. DOI: 10.1177/08258597231215137.
Chui, C. H. K., Lu, S., Chan, O. F., Cheung, J., Guo, Y. Q., Liu, Y., & Lum, T. (2023). Universities as intermediary organizations: catalyzing the construction of an Age-friendly city in Hong Kong. Innovation in Aging, 7(3). https://doi:10.1093/geroni/igad016
Hung, N., Chen, Y.C., Choy Yung, R.M.P., Kwan, M.S.M., To, A.K.Y., Fung, E.S.M., & Chan, C.L.W. (2023). Generativity in later-life: The interplay between retirement status and human, social, and financial capital. Journal of Gerontological Social Work. doi:10.1080/01634372.2023.2183297.
Leung, C., Wong, K. C., So, W. W. Y., Tse, Z. C. K., Li, D., Cao, Y., Shum, D. H. K. (2022). The application of technology to improve cognition in older adults: A review and suggestions for future directions. PsyCh Journal, 11, 583-599 https://doi.org/10.1002/pchj.565 (invited paper)
Lu, S., Chui, C., & Lum, T. Y. S. (2023). Facilitating volunteer engagement among older adults in social services: A case study of an innovative timebank program in a Chinese society. The Gerontologist. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnad010
Chui, C. H. K., Lu, S., Chan, O. F., Cheung, J. C. S., Guo, Y. Q., Liu, Y., Chan, S. W., Tang, J. Y. M., Au, A., Wen, Z. V., Yu, R., Bai, X., Mok, K. H., Woo, J., & Lum, T. (2022). Changes in older adults’ perceptions of age-friendliness in Hong Kong: A three-year mixed-methods study. Cities, 127. https://doi:10.1016/j.cities.2022.103748
Peng, C.H., Cheng, Q., &Yip, P. S.F. (2022). Does Gender Difference Exist in Typologies of Intergenerational Relations? Adult Son–Parent and Daughter–Parent Relations in Hong Kong. Journal of Family Issues, 0192513X211066954
Siu, J. Y-m, Cao, Y., Shum, D. H. K. (2022). Perceptions of and hesitancy toward COVID-19 vaccination in older Chinese adults in 25 Hong Kong: A qualitative study. BMC Geriatrics, 22, 288. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-022-03000-y
Cheung, E. S. L., & Mui, A. C. (2021). Gender variation and late-life depression: Findings from a national survey in the USA. Ageing international, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12126-021-09471-5
Peng, C.H., Wang, J. S-H., Zhu, Y.W., & Zeng, Y. (2021). The effect of an old-age allowance program on intergenerational interactions in Taiwan: Heterogeneous effects by adult children’s motives for giving. Journal of Social Policy, 1-28.
Chen, K., & Lou, V. W. Q. (2020). Measuring senior technology acceptance: development of a brief, 14-item scale. Innovation in aging, 4(3).
Chui, C. H. K., Chan, O. F., Tang, J. Y. M., & Lum, T. (2020). Fostering civic awareness and participation among older adults in Hong Kong: An empowerment-based participatory photo-voice training model. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 39(9), 1008-1015. https://doi:10.1177/0733464819838448