Transition to residential care: experiences of elderly Chinese people in Hong Kong

A qualitative study was designed to explore the experiences of transition into residential care among elderly Chinese people in Hong Kong. With the elderly people's consent, in-depth interviews were conducted with 10 residents 1 week after their admission into a residential care home. The purpose of the interviews was to explore what the transition experience was like for the Chinese elders and how they settled into residential life. Content analysis of the interview data revealed the significance of cultural influences in the transition experiences. A number of issues suggested in the literature as barriers to adjustment to residential care, such as living with rules and regulations, lack of privacy and autonomy were not regarded as important by the Chinese elders. The Chinese values of balance, harmony and collectivism have made it easier for them to remain open and accept the communal way of living. Yet, these same values have restricted the elders in developing new relationships with staff and other residents. This appears to be the particular challenge facing Chinese elderly residents. Implications for professionals working with elderly residents are discussed in the light of these findings.