This Sunday, July 26, is the memorial of Ss. Joachim and Anne, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary and grandparents of Jesus. Pope Leo XIV designated the annual World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly to be observed on the Sunday nearest this memorial. In response to requests from Church communities around the world, the pope has authorised national bishops’ conferences to select an alternative date for this celebration, based on pastoral needs and local circumstances.
As many families travel during the summer months of July and August, Cardinal Stephen Chow S.J. has decided to move this year’s World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly in Hong Kong to September 20 to allow more Catholic families to participate in the celebration with their grandparents and elderly relatives.
Elderly people make up a significant proportion of the local population, and the challenges they face must not be overlooked. Data from the Census and Statistics Department shows that, at the end of 2025, Hong Kong’s population was approximately 7.5 million, with about 850,000 people aged 65 and above—roughly 11 per cent of the total. Of these, around 170,000 are aged 80 or over.
People in Hong Kong are generally long-lived however, adult children are often unable to care for their parents due to the demands of their own families or careers. Some emigrate, leaving older parents behind and relying solely on phone or video calls to maintain contact.
Seniors in this situation may become isolated, often depending on a spouse of similar age for daily living and medical appointments. This dynamic can create serious difficulties, especially when the caregiver is also frail or in poor health and in need of support. Such circumstances place significant physical and psychological stress on both the caregiver and the recipient. Without timely assistance, individuals may become overwhelmed by negative thoughts, which can sometimes lead to tragic outcomes.
According to data from the Hospital Authority’s psychogeriatric services, the suicide rate among older people in Hong Kong is the highest among all age groups, at 30 cases per 100,000 people annually. This is 10 times the suicide rate among teenagers.
In Hong Kong, one in every three people who die by suicide is an older person. The number of such cases is likely to increase year by year as the population ages. While the authorities must address this issue, we should also reflect on whether we do enough to care for and prevent isolation among older relatives.
Many parishes now have social concern groups that regularly visit the elderly living alone or those in need, and some organise outings to help alleviate depression and reduce suicidal thoughts. We can also encourage seniors to share their feelings with volunteers, helping them express frustrations, rebuild social connections, and regain enthusiasm for later life.
The government can also improve the quality of life through community service support, reducing life stressors, and promoting physical and mental health. In education, the government should encourage filial piety and a spirit of neighbourly mutual aid, while raising public awareness of, and concern for, mental health.
Let us turn our words into action by showing greater care for the older people around us. SE
