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31 Jul 2013 |
FPAHK offers assessment to help mature couples enhance health and marital relationship
The Family Planning Association of Hong Kong (FPAHK) shared the results of its pilot “Checkup and Assessment for Mature Couples” service (CAMC) at a press briefing today. Initiated in December last year, the service aimed to encourage long-married couples to continue attending to their health and the relationship with their spouse.
Results of the pilot service showed that it was effective in raising couples’ health and relationship awareness while helping them detect and manage problems early. FPAHK announced the official launch of CAMC and the generous donation of $100,000 from the Ng Teng Fong Charitable Foundation to sponsor the first 50 couples enrolling in the service. Eligible couples would each be offered a fee reduction of $2,000.
The pilot CAMC was conducted by FPAHK from December 2012 to April 2013. It comprised a health check-up and a “MATE” (Mature Age Transitional Evaluation) relationship assessment with follow-up counselling that were tailored to the needs of mature couples. 25 couples (at least one partner being aged 50 or above) joined the pilot and received the service free. These couples have been married for 20 to 40 years, with an average of 31 years. Age range of the husbands was from 51 to 67; and that of the wives was 45 to 60.
Sharing the results of the CAMC’s health assessment, FPAHK’s Senior Doctor Dr Sue Lo said of the 50 participants, 16 had normal blood test results; 14 had one abnormality, another 14 had two abnormalities. There were 4 participants who had three abnormalities, 1 had four abnormalities and 1 had five. Among these 34 participants who were tested with abnormal results, 4 clients were previously known to have health problems, 30 had their problems found in this assessment. One participant with hypothyroidism and two with multiple abnormalities were immediately referred for medical follow-up, the remaining need lifestyle modification and reassessment. Dr Lo pointed out that abnormal lipid profile, high glucose and raised uric acid were common among mature age groups, but these conditions may be asymptomatic at the early stage. “Health assessment by blood tests is important for mature couples,” she stressed.
FPAHK’s Senior Counsellor Ms Christina Cheung said, based on the results of the MATE Assessment, the 25 couples were categorized respectively as “Vitalized” (6 couples) and “Harmonious” (2 couples) under the “Happy Marriage” group, as well as “Traditional” (2 couples), “Conflicted”(11 couples) and “Devitalized” (4 couples) under the “Unhappy Marriage” group.
According to observations from the follow-up counseling, couples in the “Happy Marriage” group nurtured their intimacy in daily lives by spending more time together. They also enjoyed group activities with common friends. Those in the “Unhappy Marriage” group tended to avoid sex and physical intimacy. Inharmonious marital relationship and unsolved conflicts were the main obstacles to their intimacy.
Predominant concerns among mature couples were with financial management and health. Being the “sandwiched generation”, they have to constantly juggle with the needs of tending their elderly parents, taking care of themselves while rendering help to their married children. Couples in the “Happy Marriage” group were in general more mutually supportive. They treasured their spouse as a lifelong partner hence were willing to do more together in adjusting to the transitions in mid-life and facing challenges in a positive manner. Those in the other group tended to maintain the status quo. They focused on the spouse’s “loyalty” and past contributions to the family, but were disturbed by the past conflicts and unhappy experiences which caused relatively poor spousal relationship.
“Participating couples said the assessment results have helped them understand the strengths and weaknesses in their relationship, and the follow-up counselling has not only allowed them to process their repressed feelings and thoughts but to listen to each other’s feelings and thoughts. The assessment has reminded them to enhance their communication, mutual adjustment and intimacy for fostering their relationship and enjoying an enriched and happier marital life,” concluded Ms Cheung.
Follow on the successful pilot, the CMAC is officially launched targeting mature couples with at least one partner being aged 50 or above and both with Chinese literacy to fill out a questionnaire independently. The service comprises two parts: a health assessment including blood tests, body mass index, blood pressure and pulse, etc., and a 165-question MATE relationship assessment with two follow-up counselling sessions. Service fee is $2,500 per couple. For service details, please call the FPAHK Clinic Services Hotline at 2572-2222.
FPAHK’s Information & Communication Manager Ms Jenny Chan said, to encourage mature couples to receive check-up and relationship assessment, FPAHK would expend the $100,000 generously donated by the Ng Teng Fong Charitable Foundation on sponsoring the first 50 eligible couples enrolling in this service. Each couple would be offered a fee reduction of $2,000. For enquiries regarding the sponsorship, please call 9710-4275.
