Support and Care for Aging Chinese: A Comparison of Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Taipei

Chinese culture is renowned for its emphasis on respect for the older people. As a traditional virtue, filial piety is highly regarded in the Chinese culture. The social and moral obligation of “filial piety,” which carries the meanings of respect and providing support and care, continues to prevail. However, Chinese societies are not homogenous. Based on a large-scale comparative survey on health and well-being of older Chinese in Guangzhou, Hong Kong, and Taipei, this chapter examines the differences in social support and care received by older Chinese 65 years of age and older. The two research questions are (1) What are the levels of support and care received by the elderly Chinese in Guangzhou, Hong Kong, and Taipei? and (2) How does the support and care received differ for the elderly Chinese in these three locations? Similarities and differences among the older Chinese in these three locations are discussed, with focuses on living arrangements, social and financial support, care received for personal and instrumental care for activities of living, and perceived sense of loneliness. The sociocultural contexts in which these differences may be situated are also explained.