As Hong Kong's population ages, elderly people are also getting more lonely. One initiative aims to help the city's older residents reconnect with society through art.
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00:00Within her home in Hong Kong, retired factory worker Lee Soo Kum is learning how to use
00:08colored pencils to sketch the reds and greens of the plant in front of her.
00:16At 77 years old, Lee says she's grateful to be learning a new hobby.
00:20It's more fulfilling. I don't have to wait to eat, sleep, or wait for the sun to rise.
00:30Even though it's too late to learn, it's good to help.
00:37When I have time, I can do whatever I want.
00:39If I don't have time to watch TV, I can use it to learn.
00:43It's really similar to learning.
00:47Lee's drawing classes are part of a larger initiative in Hong Kong that brings artists
00:52to elderly care homes to help older people improve their mental health through art.
00:58It was launched in 2022 by the Evangelical Lutheran Church Social Service of Hong Kong
01:03and will go on for three years.
01:06Organizers say they hope art will help older people reconnect with society and themselves.
01:12Older people often say that their physical condition is getting worse,
01:17or that social networks are getting weaker, and they feel lonely.
01:22So we hope that through these art activities,
01:25we can connect with them and build a new interest.
01:31Hong Kong's population is aging.
01:33And by 2050, it's set to become the world's oldest city.
01:38By that time, an estimated 40% of its population will be 65 or older.
01:44And many of these elderly will feel lonely.
01:48The Chinese University of Hong Kong and the Salvation Army
01:52surveyed hundreds of residents aged 60 and over.
01:55They found around 68% said they were moderately or severely lonely.
02:01That's almost double the percentage that said so in 2018.
02:05There's hope that art can address this problem
02:08by adding meaning to people's lives.
02:29For Lee, at least, it seems to be working.
02:35She said drawing is fun and has made her daily routine more interesting.
02:40She has artwork to show for it, too, colorful flowers and animals.
02:45While the initiative may not be able to touch every elderly person in Hong Kong,
02:50it's at least brought a smile to this one.
02:53James Lin and Cadence Coranta for Taiwan Plus.