ABSTRACT Welfare programs aim to support disadvantaged groups but can also produce unintended negative consequences like welfare stigma. This study investigates the relationships between two important welfare programs – governmental assistance and charitable assistance – and welfare stigma. Using survey data from China, we employ propensity score matching and a series of regression models to test the relationships. Results indicate that governmental assistance is associated with psychological stigma, including feelings of discrimination, inferiority, hopelessness, and depression, but does significantly affect recipients’ social participation. In contrast, charitable assistance is not significantly related to psychological stigma and is positively associated with social participation, indicating minimal stigmatising effects. This study extends welfare stigma research by incorporating charitable assistance and comparing it with governmental programs. Findings suggest promoting charitable assistance and refining governmental policies to reduce stigma while enhancing recipients’ engagement and well-being.

ABSTRACT As Taiwan enters a super-aged society, home-based palliative care becomes increasingly important. Home care supervisors’ competencies are key to supporting a good death at home. The present study developed competency indicators for such supervisors to strengthen their professional development and promote home-based palliative care. A multiphase process was used to develop these competency indicators. In the initial phase, focus group interviews were conducted with 64 participants to establish a preliminary set of indicators. These indicators were refined using a modified Delphi method, and a panel of 10 specialists with academic or practical expertise in home-based palliative care was formed. After 2 rounds of evaluation, the original 80 items across 10 domains were refined to 45 items. These indicators can serve as references for assessment and training in home care agencies, enhancing the delivery and quality of home-based palliative care and its integration into community settings.

ABSTRACT As rapid demographic ageing reshapes the region, cross-border retirement in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area has emerged as a strategic priority. Adopting a ‘retirement mobilities’ framework, this scoping review synthesises 18 studies (2006–2024) to examine this transition. Our analysis reveals a critical paradigm shift: While financial portability barriers have been largely resolved, challenges have migrated towards care system compatibility, specifically impacting frail older adults concerned with medical quality. A gap persists between policy incentives and retiree uptake. Notably, the GBA case illuminates four key non-monetary challenges – digital exclusion, social isolation, cultural dissonance, and institutional mistrust – that carry vital lessons for ASEAN and the broader Asia-Pacific as they seek to support cross-border retirees. Ultimately, sustainable ‘ageing across places’ requires service integration beyond mere monetary transfers.

ABSTRACT In this study, we explore ways of helping and helping gains among parents who have lost their only child (shidu parents) by analysing textual materials provided by 10 shidu parents during one-on-one life review interviews. The findings show that shidu parents help others in both individual and organised ways. By helping others, shidu parents receive positive feedback, enrich their lives, feel self-worth, experience a sense of belonging in helping groups, and reconstruct their understanding of life after their child’s death. Shidu parents achieve healing by helping others. More opportunities should be created for shidu parents to participate in helping others. Social workers may help shidu parents recognise the win‒win value of helping others and provide targeted support, such as resource connection, emotional accompaniment, or skill guidance, during their helping activities.

ABSTRACT To address the challenges of parenting education in rural China, this study developed and evaluated the Knowledge, Awareness, Growth & Efficacy (K.A.G.E.) online parenting program. A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 60 rural boarding-school parents randomly assigned to intervention (n = 30) and control (n = 30) groups. The eight-week intervention focused on child protection, parenting effectiveness, and family functioning. Outcomes were assessed at pretest, posttest, and three-month follow-up using repeated-measures multivariate analysis of variance. Results showed that the intervention group demonstrated significant improvements in child protection knowledge, parenting effectiveness, parent-child relationships, and family functioning. The program also incorporated visual aids and simplified language to enhance accessibility for rural populations. This study provides a practical framework for developing digital parenting interventions tailored to underserved communities. Future research could further explore the role of digital literacy in optimising online programme delivery and promoting long-term adherence.

ABSTRACT This study examined the effectiveness of a home-based palliative care (HBPC) service in Hong Kong for patients and family caregivers. A quantitative research design was adopted. Patient outcomes measured by the IPOS were assessed (admission, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks). Family caregivers completed questionnaires rating their perception of end-of-life care provision, emotional distress, and adequacy of support before and after service use. Ninety-five patients participated, showing significant improvements in patient outcomes, as demonstrated by the decrease in total IPOS scores over time (F (1.55, 41.85) = 11.14, p < .001). Physical symptoms did not deteriorate, indicating effective symptom management. Among 109 family caregivers, significant changes included a stronger desire for home death, reduced perceived difficulty, and increased confidence in providing end-of-life care at home. Their emotional distress decreased significantly. This study provides preliminary evidence of benefits for both patients and family caregivers, highlighting the important role of HBPC services.

ABSTRACT This qualitative study explores the pivotal role of non-profit organisations in implementing time bank initiatives. Using a case study approach and semi-structured interviews, the research examines the impact of time banking on organisations and individuals participating in a time bank. From September 2021 to August 2024, 188 participants contributed approximately 3000 service hours to a time bank initiative at the Conservative Baptist Jubilee Centre (CBJC). Interviews were conducted with 14 participants and three organisational representatives. Reflexive thematic analysis was adopted to identify key factors influencing interactions between individuals and CBJC. Three key factors – motivation, identification, and support – were found to shape interactions between participants and organisations, reinforcing each other through effective communication and mutual understanding. This study underscores the importance of social workers engaging participants by recognising their distinct skills, interests, and motivations, as individuals are often motivated to join time banks by contributing to their communities and effect positive change.

ABSTRACT Cultural care is crucial in long-term care for Indigenous peoples, as it fosters respect for human dignity. This study examines key barriers to providing effective cultural care in Indigenous communities in Taiwan. Using a qualitative method, 13 long-term care providers working with Indigenous communities in Taichung City, Taiwan, were interviewed. Qualitative content analysis revealed eight major barriers, which were categorised into three dimensions: structural (outmigration, remoteness, and lack of local services), cultural (dialects, religion, and multi-ethnic composition), and organisational (interorganisational opposition and quality mismatches). The findings highlighted the need to adapt policies and allocate resources more effectively, enhance cultural competence training and community engagement, strengthen organisational collaboration, establish Indigenous-cultural long-term care models, and adopt more flexible quality frameworks.

ABSTRACT Geriatric social work is a field that provides care and interventions for older adults. As the population of this sector increases, there is a significant demand for social workers to engage in this setting. This study describes the experiences of Filipino social workers who handle older adults in various residential institutions. It employed a Descriptive Phenomenologically informed approach and conducted interviews with 10 purposively selected participants. Manual conduct of thematic analysis following Braun and Clarke’s (2006) framework was used to process and interpret the participants’ narratives and statements. The findings highlight key themes that relate to five C’s, namely: communication, collaboration, consciousness, connection, and capability-building. This study informs social workers, students, educators, welfare institutions, and allied professionals in designing evidence-informed curricula, field practice strategies, and capacity-building initiatives for enhanced delivery of quality care to older adults.