IADR Abstract Archives
Defining Successful Ageing in Oral Health Context – HK Elders’ Perspectives
Objectives: This study aimed to gain understanding of Hong Kong community elders about their perceptions of successful ageing in oral health context in exploring and supporting the definitions of oral health-related successful ageing.
Methods: A qualitative study was conducted among 19 community elders in Hong Kong recruited by a district elderly community centre. One-to-one semi-structured interviews were performed based on an interview guide. The interviews were audio recorded, followed by transcription into text for thematic coding and analysis.
Results: Regarding the definition of successful ageing, “Health and active daily living”, e.g. self-care ability in terms of eating and cleaning, was considered most important by the interviewees. Similarly, “Physical function”, e.g. walking freely, was considered important. Moreover, “Psychologically well adapted”, e.g. optimism and religion, was considered a key to successful ageing. “Actively engaged in life” and “Cognitive function”, e.g. participating in social activities and work, also helped them achieve successful ageing by giving them financial security and brain exercise. Additionally, interviewees commented that the current government services were good. However, the waiting time was too long to receive such services. They suggested that more funding should be provided to the existing non-governmental organisations to advance and expand their services to elders. In the long run, more dental services should also be provided to elders as well. For how oral health could be related to successful ageing, it was perceived that having teeth was considered important, as it could affect eating, digestion, nutrition intake and quality of life.
Conclusions: The definition of successful ageing from Hong Kong community elders’ perspective was obtained, and it showed coherence to the five domains of Urtamo’s framework of successful ageing (2019). Healthcare policies targeting elders, as well as oral health, were considered important attributes of successful ageing.
Methods: A qualitative study was conducted among 19 community elders in Hong Kong recruited by a district elderly community centre. One-to-one semi-structured interviews were performed based on an interview guide. The interviews were audio recorded, followed by transcription into text for thematic coding and analysis.
Results: Regarding the definition of successful ageing, “Health and active daily living”, e.g. self-care ability in terms of eating and cleaning, was considered most important by the interviewees. Similarly, “Physical function”, e.g. walking freely, was considered important. Moreover, “Psychologically well adapted”, e.g. optimism and religion, was considered a key to successful ageing. “Actively engaged in life” and “Cognitive function”, e.g. participating in social activities and work, also helped them achieve successful ageing by giving them financial security and brain exercise. Additionally, interviewees commented that the current government services were good. However, the waiting time was too long to receive such services. They suggested that more funding should be provided to the existing non-governmental organisations to advance and expand their services to elders. In the long run, more dental services should also be provided to elders as well. For how oral health could be related to successful ageing, it was perceived that having teeth was considered important, as it could affect eating, digestion, nutrition intake and quality of life.
Conclusions: The definition of successful ageing from Hong Kong community elders’ perspective was obtained, and it showed coherence to the five domains of Urtamo’s framework of successful ageing (2019). Healthcare policies targeting elders, as well as oral health, were considered important attributes of successful ageing.