Collective Support
Artistic Inclusivity Among Seniors: An Open Access Toolkit for Shaping Collective Intersubjectivity in Hong Kong's Ageing Society
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Kok Wai Benny Lim
Hong Kong has one of the world's highest life expectancies, alongside an expanding ageing population and declining birth rates. In recent years, there is a growing emphasis on active ageing, including encouraging senior participation in the arts. This paper introduces an innovative open-access toolkit developed by the Division of Cultural Studies at the Chinese University of Hong Kong between 2022 and 2024, aimed at bridging the gap between seniors and the arts. This toolkit is an outcome of several realities in Hong Kong. First, many seniors have limited exposure or understanding of the arts. This is the result of restricted access or opportunities in their earlier years. Next, many seniors in the city perceive the arts as exclusive, where only certain individuals or social classes can engage in artistic activities. The toolkit is inspired by Pang Laikwan's perspective that the true value of art lies in its meaningfulness to both creators and participants. It emphasises that genuine participation in art should maintain art as a democratic and inclusive field, distinctly separate from being a form of indoctrination. Pang also recognises that participants bring their unique social and material conditions into the collective art-making process, allowing for a convergence of diverse experiences and backgrounds. The toolkit comprises four components, each carefully designed to encourage art participation and shape collective intersubjectivity among seniors.
Vulnerabilities in Migrant Home Care for Older Persons with Dementia : A Comparative Study of Experts’ Views from Israel and Germany
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Anna Eva Nebowsky
In many Western countries, including Israel and Germany, engaging migrant caregivers in dementia care has become a common practice. This approach creates a unique triad of relationships and potential vulnerabilities among individuals with dementia, their family members, and migrant caregivers. We provide a comparative perspective on the complexities within this triad and explore experts’ perceptions and assessments regarding migrant home care arrangements for older persons with dementia in Israel and Germany. This study applied a qualitative method using semi-structured interviews with German and Israeli experts in dementia care, including representatives from placement agencies, legal professionals, social workers, and NGOs. A comparative thematic analysis approach was conducted to extract key themes. We identified similarities and differences in expert opinions in Germany and Israel regarding migrant home care for persons with dementia. The analysis revealed common and specific vulnerabilities among individuals with dementia, their families, and migrant caregivers, as well as systemic factors at a meso and macro level impacting all parties in the care triad. This study highlights the complex vulnerabilities in migrant home care for persons with dementia in both countries. It demonstrates that while certain challenges are universal, their manifestations and solutions vary due to each country's different cultural and systemic contexts. The findings thus emphasize the need for tailored policies and practices that address the specific needs of individuals with dementia, their families, and caregivers within this arrangement. This research underscores the importance of understanding and mitigating vulnerabilities in dementia care through a culturally sensitive and comprehensive approach.
Spatial Capital and Social Interactions in Elderly Care: A Mixed-Method Analysis in Singapore
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Grace En Ying Chan
As global populations age, understanding the social dynamics of aging becomes crucial. This study employs a novel mixed-method version of Social Network Analysis to explore ‘spatial capital’—the impact of place on elderly social interactions in Singapore. By examining the network patterns of 1,100 seniors and conducting a further qualitative analysis of 30 seniors, the research underscores how ‘third places’ such as corridors, smoking corners, religious spaces, and eateries facilitate transient connections marked by shared laughter and companionship, that add value to one’s care network. Seven typologies of care relationships are identified, encompassing Friendship Clusters, Kinship Clusters, and Alternate Companions. Each typology reveals distinct social patterns and spatial engagements. For instance, seniors who belong to the ‘Seeking Groupies’ typology proactively expand their social networks in both formal and informal settings, using space as a strategic tool to grow their circles. Conversely, ‘Familiar Confidants’ maintain closed, stable networks, in private spaces. Meanwhile, 'Communal Gazers' thrive in shared spaces without pursuing deep connections, demonstrating how spatial contexts shape transient yet meaningful social interactions. This investigation into spatial capital highlights the role of place as a 'broker' in structuring support networks for older adults, possessing capacities to bridge and bond social groups. The findings call for a re-evaluation of how space can be strategically utilized to boost social support among seniors, contributing to a nuanced understanding of care amidst care’s ‘community turn’.
