CADENZA 18-District Programme highlights choices for ageing to Wong Tai Sin residents

19 September 2009

Although some 74,000 places in old age homes are available in Hong Kong, there is still a long waiting list for subvented residential service.  In practice, however, there are a number of alternatives and a wide range of community services are available to facilitate those who prefer to age in their own home.

With support from Wong Tai Sin District Council, the eighth event of the CADENZA 18-District Programme was held today (19 September) at Lok Fu Shopping Centre, carrying the theme of "Community Service: Old Age Homes and Later-life Living Arrangement" to promote a variety of choices for ageing to the elderly and soon-to-be-old.

Dr Elsie Hui, Senior Medical Officer of the Medical & Geriatric Unit at Shatin Hospital, said that not only the elderly and their families, but also the Government and professionals in the medical and social welfare sectors, supported the concept of elderly people living at home wherever possible.  She reminded the audience that old age homes were not the only option.  Once a health problem arose, the elderly people concerned and their family members should first identify the severity of illness.  Some diseases were easily treatable and patients could recover without having to move to old age homes.  "The public may think living in an old age home is the best choice for elderly people who suffer from severe cognitive and physical disability," she explained, "but often such homes may have insufficient manpower to take care of their patients' emotional and psychological health, which is just as important as their physical condition."

Another expert speaker, Joe Sham, Service Director of Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council, agreed that the elderly could have different accommodation choices for their later life with reference to their health condition, lifestyle preference, and family members' capability in taking care of them.  It was also important, he stressed, to have good two-way communication between the elderly and their family members, so that they understood each other's concerns and desires when making such decisions.  "The Social Welfare Department and NGOs provide a wide range of community services," Mr Sham noted, "some of which are designed to speed up the rehabilitation and recovery process, increase self-reliance and reduce the readmission rate.  Information on these services is available from the integrated family service centres, medical social workers, and elderly service centres run by NGOs in each district."

Artistes Chow Chung, Ella Koon, Yu Kiu and Rubberband joined the two speakers to emphasise the importance of making early preparations for one's later-life living arrangements.  Although people could not foresee their future health and physical condition, they could plan ahead taking into account their personal wishes, desired lifestyle and other factors, such as their financial position.  They also encouraged the public to seek proper treatment for ailments as early as possible to avoid unnecessary complications.

Highlights of the programme will be broadcast on RTHK Radio 5's "Brilliant Life" at 4:00 pm on Thursday 1 October 2009.

The CADENZA 18-District Programme is a citywide public education initiative jointly organised by CADENZA: A Jockey Club Initiative for Seniors and RTHK Radio 5.  It aims to promote positive ageing and equip the soon-to-be-old with knowledge that can help them continue to live an active and positive life.  A monthly programme of public interactive events and activities is being organised in each of Hong Kong's 18 districts in turn, starting from January 2009.  Details of the programme are available at: www.rthk.org.hk/special/cadenza.

CADENZA: A Jockey Club Initiative for Seniors is a five-year project launched by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust with a donation of HK$380 million in 2006.  The project aims at nurturing academic leadership in social gerontology and changing the mindset and attitude of the general public through a range of training and public education programmes.  Cross-sectional collaboration between organisations and the implementation of innovative elderly services and programmes are also encouraged in order to bring about a new mode of elderly care services to prepare for a rapidly ageing society.  Details of CADENZA are available at www.cadenza.hk.

125th Anniversary of The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is celebrating its 125th Anniversary in 2009/10 season.  Over the past 125 years, it has become one of Hong Kong's best known and respected organisations, providing the public with world-class sporting entertainment as well as being the city's major non-Government community benefactor, now donating more than HK$1 billion a year to charitable and community projects.  It has been a part of Hong Kong through good times and bad, sharing the city's growth and development with its people, and is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for future generations.

Attachment:

Tips on "Community Service: Old Age Homes and Later-life Living Arrangement" (Chinese only)