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Successful Aging in Asia: A Concerted Effort of the State, the Family, and the Individual

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Successful Aging

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Abstract

In contrast to mainstream and Western models of successful aging with an emphasis on individual responsibility and agency, Asian cultures have strong collectivistic values and models of successful aging need to move away from purely individualistic paradigms. The family has been playing a major role in supporting individuals to age successfully. Nevertheless, demographic changes have put strains on the family system, which has been undergoing changes as industrialization and modernization progress in this region. We discuss changing relationships among the State, the family, and the individual in Asia, and the demand for greater state involvement to meet the needs of older persons and support families to continue their traditional role. Finally, we highlight key research and policy directions that are urgently needed in the region.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health and Physical Education, The Hong Kong Institute of Education, Tai Po, Hong Kong SAR

    Sheung-Tak Cheng

  2. Department of Clinical Psychology, Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK

    Sheung-Tak Cheng

  3. School of Social Work, University of Michigan, 1080 S. University, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-1106, USA

    Lydia W. Li

  4. Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR

    Jean Woo

  5. School of Social Work, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Iris Chi

  6. Department of Psychology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR

    Helene H. Fung

Authors
  1. Sheung-Tak Cheng
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  2. Lydia W. Li
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  3. Jean Woo
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  4. Iris Chi
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  5. Helene H. Fung
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sheung-Tak Cheng .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Health and Physical Education, The Hong Kong Institute of Education, Tai Po, Hong Kong SAR

    Sheung-Tak Cheng

  2. School of Social Work, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA

    Iris Chi

  3. Department of Psychology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR

    Helene H. Fung

  4. School of Social Work, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

    Lydia W. Li

  5. Dept. of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR

    Jean Woo

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Cheng, ST., Li, L.W., Woo, J., Chi, I., Fung, H.H. (2015). Successful Aging in Asia: A Concerted Effort of the State, the Family, and the Individual. In: Cheng, ST., Chi, I., Fung, H., Li, L., Woo, J. (eds) Successful Aging. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-9331-5_20

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