‘I’m lonely’: why are 50% of Hong Kong’s elderly socially isolated – and what can help?

In the first of a five-part Health Matters wellness series on ageing in Hong Kong, Fiona Sun examines rising social isolation among the elderly, its serious health risks and how activities and community support are helping seniors stay socially engaged.Chow Kam-shim, 92, and her husband Lau Moon-wing, 100, still face off against opponents every day on the boccia court at their residential home for the elderly in Hong Kong’s Po Lam.Focused and steady, the couple send coloured leather balls gliding across the floor, aiming to land them as close as possible to the white target ball.Chow said they began learning the precision sport about five years ago. In 2024, they competed against more than 300 elderly participants and won third place at an annual boccia competition organised by NGO Helping Hand, bringing home a trophy.“We play the sport to train our brains, exercise our bodies and stay connected,” said the grandmother of three.Their daily routine stands in contrast to that of many of their peers.For elderly couple Lau Moon-wing (left) and Chow Kam-shim, mornings often include yum cha with friends. Photo: Edmond So