Before joining the Sau Po Centre on Ageing, my research was largely theoretical. It centred on social psychology and behavioural science, with a particular focus on younger adults. Although I had also been involved in several research projects related to older adults, these experiences were not enough for me to fully understand the everyday challenges faced by older adults and carers.
Since joining the CoA and working on the JC Carer Space Project, I have had more opportunities to interact directly with carers and older adults. Through these interactions, I have gained a deeper understanding of the challenges carers may encounter during caregiving. Learning more about their experiences has also made me reflect on how research can better respond to their actual needs.
For example, although many older adults now use smartphones, this does not necessarily mean that they are able to make full use of them in their daily lives. Some may still have difficulty searching for information or identifying resources relevant to their needs. Similarly, while they may appreciate the online resources provided by our project, these resources may not always be as convenient or accessible to them as we might expect.
These may appear to be relatively small issues, but they point to an important gap between what may seem accessible or useful from a research perspective and what is genuinely practical in everyday life. Without direct engagement with carers and older adults, such gaps can easily be overlooked.
As I continue my work at the CoA and conduct research related to carers and older adults, one lesson I would like to keep in mind is the importance of understanding their real-life circumstances and practical needs. Research should not focus only on theories or on what researchers assume may be helpful. While a strong theoretical foundation remains important, research should also consider how these ideas translate into practice and how well they fit people’s actual circumstances. This means considering how the support we provide can realistically and meaningfully fit into their everyday lives. Without this understanding, even well-intentioned support may be less useful than expected or may inadvertently create additional burden or frustration for the people we intended to help.
By: Xavier FUNG, Post-doctoral Fellow
Email: xccfung@hku.hk