HKCSS
organised
an
international
symposium
titled
“Charting
the
Future:
A
Strategic
Action
Plan
for
Dementia
Care”,
facilitating
close
exchanges
and
discussions
on
various
aspects
related
to
dementia
in
March
this
year.
HKCSS
rolls
out
the
formulation
of
the
Action
Plan
in
two
phases.
The
formulation
of
the
Action
Plan
by
HKCSS
comprises
two
stages.
In
the
first
stage,
the
focus
is
on
developing
a
framework
and
gathering
stakeholder
opinion
through
various
channels.
In
July,
a
“Dementia
and
Care
Planning
Seminar”
is
held
to
discuss
the
current
care
plan
arrangements
and
limitations
for
people
with
dementia,
as
well
as
the
future
development
of
carer
support
services.
Between
September
and
November
in
2025,
several
events
focusing
on
agenda
discussion
will
take
place
in
conjunction
with
“World
Alzheimer’s
Day”
in
September
and
the
“Gerontech
and
Innovation
Expo
cum
Summit”
in
November.
Public
consultation
will
be
conducted
in
the
second
stage
to
finalise
the
Action
Plan.
According to the World Health Organization, there were 57 million people worldwide living with dementia in 2021. To address the challenges dementia poses to public health and society, countries worldwide are formulating or updating dementia strategies.
Ms Grace Chan, Chief Executive of HKCSS, states that “There are approximately over 100,000 dementia patients in Hong Kong. HKCSS hopes to connect international and local stakeholders through various programmes to share experiences and strengthen cross-regional and cross-sector collaboration in promoting the development of dementia care and social services, effectively supporting patients and their caregivers in an ageing society.”
This year, in March, HKCSS organised an international symposium titled “Charting the Future: A Strategic Action Plan for Dementia Care”, facilitating close exchanges and discussions with local and overseas stakeholders on various aspects related to dementia. A number of international and local experts shared insights covering research, prevention, living support, policy and social service practices. Mr Greg Shaw, Former Director of International and Corporate Relations at the International Federation on Ageing (IFA), highlighted the importance of “people-oriented” integrated care model through technology, to develop a dementia-inclusive society in the long run. Promoting the idea that “prevention is better than cure” is equally important. Research from the Chinese University of Hong Kong’s Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery found a positive relationship between maintaining hearing and preventing dementia, advising the elderly to wear appropriate hearing aids to timely improve and slow cognitive decline. Additionally, local organisations, in collaboration with the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, are implementing the “Caring Communities for Dementia Campaign”, using IoT technology to quickly locate missing persons. This initiative allows individuals with dementia to participate actively and safely in the community, alleviating caregivers’ concerns about the risk of wandering.
Another focus of the symposium was the discussion of the Action Plan. Ms Katie Wong, Chief Officer (Elderly Service) of HKCSS, and Ms Karrie Chan, Deputy Director (Elderly, Rehabilitation & Community) of Hong Kong Christian Service, along with the members of Specialized Committee on Elderly Service, shared the current status of dementia development in Hong Kong. They proposed that prevention, early diagnosis, and early intervention are key strategies for the future development of dementia services, and engaged with participants from social services, academia and institutions to discuss local conditions and suggested directions. Several technology companies demonstrated gerontechnology solutions applicable to dementia care on-site.
In addition, during the “S+ Summit cum Expo” in May, a thematic discussion on “Co-Creating Dementia-Friendly Communities: A Journey of Inclusion and Collaboration” explored multi-faceted cooperation through social service, business, and urban planning to enhance facilities and services for the elderly in preventing dementia and making life more convenient for dementia patients and their caregivers.
HKCSS aims to harness the social power through cross-sector collaboration and innovation to promote the formulation of dementia care strategies, jointly building a dementia-friendly environment and sustainable community.
For latest news, please visit HKCSS official website at https://www.hkcss.org.hk/.
Hashtag: #HKCSS #Gerontechnology #SocialService #Elderly
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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