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IAA is an interdisciplinary research, academic and practice centre to facilitate active

ageing

Three Strategic Areas

1. Research Projects

IAA has committed to three research projects collaborating with different organizations and

institutions during the reporting period:

Investigators Title Funding Source(s)

Dr. Alma Au

Mrs. Teresa Tsien

Implicit motives and successful ageing in

diverse cultural contexts.

(To be completed in June 2013)

University Of

Osnabrück, Germany

Dr. Clifford Choy

Mrs. Teresa Tsien

Effectiveness of life planning activities in

enhancing the ageing adjustment of elderly

people. (To be completed end of 2013)

St James’ Settlement,

Hong Kong

Dr. Alma Au

Dr. Mimi Tse

Mrs. Teresa Tsien

Evaluation on the effectiveness of services

provided by Community Support Services to

fulfill the needs of young elders

(To be completed in April 2013)

Social Welfare

Department and Tung

Wah Group of

Hospitals, Community

Services Division, HK

Institute of Active Ageing (IAA) 活齡學院

News Bulletin (June 2012 - December 2012)

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2. Education and Scholarly Activities

BSc (Hons) in Applied Ageing Studies (AAS)

Seminars

Date Event

25 Oct 2012 Talk on "Caregivers of older people: an essential but overburdened

group" by Prof. Daniel Lai, Associate Dean (Research &

Partnerships) of the Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary,

Canada.

9 Nov 2012 Talk on "Screening for elder abuse: the three dimensional model

for identification of abuse” by Prof. Miri Cohen, University of Haifa,

Israel.

This is a self-financed two-year top-up

degree programme for holders of

Associate Degree (AD) or Higher

Diploma (HD). 46 out of 700 applicants

were admitted to the 2012-13 cohort,

of which two are mature students.

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3. Project for the Third Age

Administration - New Staff of the Project for the Third Age

(1) University of the Third Age (U3A)

An U3A was established by recruiting people in the third age (aged 50 years or above) to

administer, plan, organize and teach subjects in art, languages, life sciences, Chinese medicine,

computing, crafts, and photography, etc. in a friendly atmosphere.

(2) Job Matching Services

Twenty (20) third age members successfully obtained job placements in the capacity of

ambassadors, course trainers and primary school tutors via our job matching service by

December 2012.

(2.1) MTR Senior Ambassador Scheme

Four members took part as ambassadors of the MTR Corporation during September

2012 at Hang Hau Station and November 2012 at Po Lam Station. This job gave them

the opportunity to keep closely in touch with the community, chance to try out job at a

different field and enhance self-esteem.

Three new staff of the Project for the Third Age

(hereafter called “Project”), Miss Jan Au (Project

Assistant), Mr Leo Chung (Project Assistant) and

Miss Livia Lin (Project Administrative Assistant)

reported duty in June, July and November 2012

respectively.

A total of 74 third age trainers

completed the Train-the-trainer

Programmes and conducted 45

U3A courses by December 2012

with 718 enrolments.

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(2.2) The Wharf Group Bright Senior Ambassador

The Project had customized a 3-hour workshop on 10 December 2012 to equip members with

sufficient interview knowledge and to polish their English and Mandarin language skills. One

of our members successfully secured the position after passing the group and individual

interviews.

(2.3) PolyU Work-Life Balance Weeks

(3) Voluntary Work

(3.1) Train-the-trainer Programme on Sitting Tai Chi

The Project and Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, PolyU collaboratively launched the

Train-the-trainer Programme on Sitting Tai Chi in August 2012. The 12 forms of Sitting Tai Chi

aimed to enhance control in weight shifting in different directions and promote sensor motor

coordination involving the eyes, head, hands and trunk in a smooth and coordinated manner.

This exercise was especially designed for elderly with poor standing balance or who are

physically dependent.

The Project’s Tai Chi trainer was invited by

Human Resources Office, PolyU, to conduct

the Sitting Tai Chi programmes to staff during

the PolyU Work-Life Balance Weeks.

The Train-the-trainer Programme on Sitting Tai Chi successfully trained 53

volunteers and provided a total of 76 hours of service to 46 service

recipients at 3 elder homes since August 2012.

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(3.2) Video Production Volunteer Team

(3.3) PolyU Alumni Homecoming Fiesta

In collaboration with the Cyber Senior Network Development Association Limited, the

Project established the Video Production Volunteer Team and provided training on the

processes and techniques required to plan, produce, shoot and edit a short video in

November 2012. Over the course of study, 24 members were required to create and show

4 complete video presentations by May 2013.

In celebration of its 75th Anniversary, PolyU and the Federation of PolyU Alumni

Associations launched the "2012 PolyU Alumni Homecoming Fiesta" on the university

campus on 11 November 2012. The Project was invited to host two booths, conduct three

Sitting Tai Chi workshops and stage a Sitting Tai Chi performance. Thirty-three volunteers

including 14 undergraduate students and 19 third age members were recruited to man the

games and acupressure introductory sessions at booths.

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Collaboration Projects

a. The Hong Kong Girl Guides Association Tin Shui Wai Pansy Ho Activity Centre

Project organized two sessions of volunteer training for the primary school students and

women members of The Hong Kong Girl Guides Association Tin Shui Wai Pansy Ho Activity

Centre in August 2012.

b. The Neighbourhood Advice-Action Council

Project collaborated with The Neighbourhood Advice-Action Council in organizing the

Community Oral History Theatre Project - Sham Shui Po District. Five members from the

Project and other seniors will take part in the drama performances to relate their personal

experiences and recollections in Sham Shui Po District. The drama will be conducted in

Cantonese and the performances will be held on 1 and 2 March 2013 at the Chiang Chen

Studio Theatre in PolyU.

Taiwan Study Tour

Nineteen members joined the study tour from 3-6 September 2012 and visited the elderly

academy, elderly centre, an elderly home and a social enterprise in Taipei to learn about their

vision, operation models and best practices in promoting education for the elderly. A sharing

session was held on 9 October 2012 for the participants to share their experience with other

members and guests.

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4. Mini-University for the Third Age Programme, 2012/13

Mini-U for the Third Age Summer Course 2012

IAA held the Mini-U for the Third Age Summer Course 2012 from 18 to 29 June 2012. This

two-week experiential course aimed to enable people of the third age to pursue lifelong

learning at a university setting. 43 third-aged students completed the course.

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Graduation Ceremony of Credit-bearing

Course.

5-day study tour to Taiwan (6-10

December 2012)

Mini-U Credit-bearing Course

The first credit-bearing course “Nutrition and Physical Fitness in Ageing” of the academic year

2012/13 commenced on 28 September 2012 with 32 enrolments. When students had

successfully completed the 9-week course, they were sponsored by the Fu Tak Iam Foundation

to join a 5-day study tour to Taiwan (6-10 December 2012) to broaden their horizons. They

attended classes at the Taipei Chenshih University of Science and Technology, visited the

Education Bureau units, the Taipei Medical University and organizations related to nutrition

and physical fitness.

5. Coming Activities

16 March Commencement of The second credit-bearing course “Life Review”

18 March Job Fair, PolyU campus

11 May Senior Fair, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre

16 Oct IAA Third Anniversary Celebration and Art Exhibition

Teresa Tsien

Director

Institute of Active Ageing 活齡學院

Faculty of Health and Social Sciences

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

For Information Tel: (+852) 3400 8967

Fax: (+852) 2994 5690

E-mail: dhiaa@inet.polyu.edu.hk

Website: http://iaa.fhss.polyu.edu.hk/