Lingnan Study Finds Grandchildren's Care for Grandparents Eases Parents' Burden, with Foreign Domestic Helpers Possibly Weakening Traditional Family Bonds

As Hong Kong’s population ages at one of the fastest rates in the world, the demand for family eldercare increases daily. To understand the responsibilities and roles assumed by grandchildren in caring for their grandparents, the Asia-Pacific Institute of Ageing Studies (APIAS) at Lingnan University conducted an in-depth interview study, which shows that having been looked after by grandparents in childhood is a major reason why grandchildren are willing to take on these same responsibilities for their own grandparents; another key motivation is the desire to alleviate their parents’ burden. However, the study highlights a common dilemma faced by grandchildren acting as carers: a lack of nursing knowledge and skills. Also, as more families employ foreign domestic helpers for childcare, this shift in caregiving models may weaken the traditional role of grandparents, which could in turn affect the long-term intergenerational eldercare support network.

As Hong Kong’s population ages at one of the fastest rates in the world, the demand for family eldercare increases daily. Photo by Bastille Post

These findings have been published in the leading international academic journal International Journal of Social Welfare.

Led by Lingnan University, the research team recruited 40 grandchildren aged between 15 and 63, who had previously cared for or were currently caring for ailing or disabled grandparents, for in-depth interviews conducted between April and December 2023 through social welfare organisations and school referrals. Those they cared for suffered from conditions such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, stroke, dementia, limited mobility, or hearing impairment, and over half were aged 85 or above.

From detailed interviews, the research team identified four main motivations for grandchildren to care for their grandparents: first, shaped by traditional Chinese values, their grandparents had looked after them as children, inspiring a desire to reciprocate; second, respondents viewed their grandparents as an integral part of family care and support, considering the care of elderly relatives to be a "family responsibility"; third, respondents wished to alleviate their parents' caregiving burden as a form of "indirect filial piety" and to share their worries; and fourth, because the respondents' parents and adult relatives needed to work, and the younger generation in education had relatively flexible schedules, enabling them to become a vital part of the family care network.

From detailed interviews, the research team identified four main motivations for grandchildren to care for their grandparents. Photo source: AP News

For example, a 21-year-old university student has to care for both her grandfather, who suffers from cancer and dementia, and her grandmother, who has a disability. She said that her grandparents had looked after her while her parents were at work, and as a university student, she could flexibly arrange her time to look after them. Another respondent, a 16-year-old secondary school student, helps care for her maternal grandmother, who suffers from degenerative leg conditions, mobility issues, and dizziness, and she pointed out that as both her parents work full-time, and her younger sister is still in primary school and cannot take on caregiving responsibilities, she is the only one with time to help.

However, the study specifically notes that over 300,000 households in Hong Kong employ foreign domestic helpers for housework and childcare. This shift in family care models may reduce the traditional participation of grandparents in caring for grandchildren. The study raises concerns about how this shift in caregiving dynamics may impact grandparent-grandchild relationships and future intergenerational eldercare.

Prof Dickson Chan Chak-kwan, who led the study, explains that the findings show close relationships established with grandparents during childhood significantly influenced respondents' willingness to shoulder the responsibility of caring for their grandparents later in life. Photo source: LU

Prof Dickson Chan Chak-kwan, Research Professor and Director of APIAS at Lingnan University, said, "The government promotes an 'ageing in place' policy, which relies on 'informal caregivers' such as family members to support the elderly. Historically, society has paid little attention to the role of grandchildren as carers, yet this study found that being cared for by grandparents during childhood, upon reaching adulthood grandchildren are eager to reciprocate the care received from their ailing grandparents, remaining steadfast in their willingness to provide support despite the arduous nature of caregiving. Nowadays, due to a reliance on domestic helpers for childcare, fewer opportunities for grandparents to participate in their grandchildren’s upbringing may affect the chances of both generations building reciprocal relationships. Therefore, government and social welfare organisations should encourage more inclusive activities, introduce parents to the benefits of grandparental involvement in childcare, provide appropriate assistance to grandparents caring for their grandchildren, and increase opportunities for grandparent-grandchild interaction and bonding. Fostering emotional connections between the younger generation and their grandparents from early childhood is crucial to sustaining a long-term intergenerational eldercare support network."

Prof Chan emphasised that society must not overlook the real-world dilemmas faced by these "invisible carers" who are grandchildren, as many young respondents mentioned their lack of nursing knowledge and caregiving skills. One respondent reported suffering from lower back pain and muscle strain from caring for her grandmother, requiring physiotherapy, and also sustained wrist and arm strains.

Prof Chan suggested that social welfare organisations could collaborate with secondary schools, tertiary institutions, and youth centres to provide young carers with basic knowledge and skills for looking after family members with chronic illnesses or disabilities. Furthermore, schools and universities might consider offering appropriate support and flexible arrangements to help students with caregiving responsibilities balance their studies and personal lives.

Lingnan University

For the full research paper, please visit: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ijsw.70080

To promote campus internationalisation and broaden students’ global perspective, Lingnan University held “International Day 2026 – Gateways to the World” on campus today, 3 November, co-organised by the Office of Global Education and the Office of Student Affairs. It attracted more than 800 students and members of the faculty and the public. Students from 17 countries and regions served as cultural ambassadors, wearing traditional attire and showing the customs and everyday life of their home countries through folk performances as well as cultural exhibits. The event was also open to the public, strengthening the University’s ties with the community and enabling visitors to discover the special appeal of different cultures through cross-cultural exchange.

The opening ceremony was officiated by Prof Raymond Chan Hon-fu, Vice-President (Academics) cum Provost and Lam Man Tsan Chair Professor of Scientific Computing at Lingnan University; Prof Xin Yao, Vice-President (Research and Innovation) and Tong Tin Sun Chair Professor of Machine Learning; Prof Sam Kwong Tak-wu, Associate Vice-President (Strategic Research), Dean of the School of Graduate Studies, and J.K. Lee Chair Professor of Computational Intelligence; Prof Bradley R. Barnes, Special Advisor to President on Internationalisation and Director of Global Education; and Ms Irene Ng Wai-ming, Director of Student Affairs.

In his welcome address, Prof Barnes explained that internationalisation is not simply about providing students with opportunities to participate in overseas exchange programmes. More importantly, the University is committed to building an international campus where students and staff from diverse cultural backgrounds can learn from one another, collaborate, and develop friendships through their everyday learning and campus life, highlighting the appeal of studying in the Hong Kong SAR. He said, “The Hong Kong SAR has the unique advantage of bringing Chinese and Western cultures together. Through immersive activities like this, the University equips students with the cross-cultural collaboration and communication skills they need to develop a broader global perspective while studying on campus, and better prepares them for careers in an increasingly international workplace.”

At “International Day 2026 – Gateways to the World”, students from Bhutan, the Chinese Mainland, France, Germany, India, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Poland, Russia, and the UK played an active role in planning and running the exhibition booths. Through music, traditional dance performances, handicraft displays, interactive booths, and in-depth discussions, they broke down linguistic and geographical barriers by introducing visitors to the history, traditions, and everyday cultures of their home countries. The campus was transformed into a vibrant global village, giving faculty, students and members of the public an opportunity to experience the cultural diversity and distinctive traditions of different parts of the world.

Dawit Kidu Hailezgi, from Ethiopia, is Lingnan University's first student admitted from the country this academic year. A first-year non-local student studying Health and Social Services Management in the Samuel C.C. Ting Elite Class, he assumed the role of Global Ambassador shortly after enrolment and participated in the event. He said, “International Day has given me the opportunity to engage with students from various countries and experience different cultures firsthand. As a first-year student new to Lingnan, this experience has not only allowed me to make many new friends and broaden my global horizons, but has also enabled me to deeply feel Lingnan's diverse, inclusive, and vibrant campus atmosphere.”

It also provided a platform for face-to-face cross-cultural dialogue between the University community and the public, giving students of different nationalities a better understanding of one another and some cross-cultural experience, while broadening their global perspective. It further enabled them to build international connections in a diverse yet inclusive environment, reinforcing the University’s commitment to whole-person education.

In recent years, Lingnan has actively promoted campus internationalisation in support of the Hong Kong SAR’s vision of becoming an international hub for post-secondary education. Through student exchange programmes, an international network of partner institutions, and an inclusive campus environment, the University integrates global elements into academic and campus life, creating more opportunities for students to engage with the world, and showcasing the highly internationalised learning environment of the Hong Kong SAR.

Students from 17 countries and regions play an active role in planning and running exhibition booths at “International Day 2026 – Gateways to the World”, transforming the campus into a vibrant global village and attracting more than 800 students and members of the faculty and public.

Exchange students from Mexico in traditional attire energise the audience with a folk dance showing the distinctive culture of Latin America, and draw crowds of students and staff.

Students from Bhutan in traditional attire perform a folk dance, revealing their country’s rich cultural heritage to faculty and students.

Students serve as cultural ambassadors, introducing visitors to local customs, traditions, and everyday life in their home countries.

Prof Bradley R. Barnes, Special Advisor to President on Internationalisation and Director of Global Education at Lingnan University, says that the University is committed to building an international campus where faculty and students from diverse cultural backgrounds can learn from one another, collaborate, and develop friendships through their everyday academic and campus life, highlighting the appeal of studying in the Hong Kong SAR.

Dawit Kidu Hailezgi, a Lingnan University Global Ambassador and first-year non-local student from Ethiopia studying Health and Social Services Management in the Samuel C.C. Ting Elite Class (CCT Class), marking the university's first admission from the country this academic year, takes part in the event.