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Summary

The Caritas Community Centre – Caine Road organised the ” Fun Activities for the Elderly” programme, which was subsidised under the Community Involvement Fund of Home Affairs Department. The objective of the programme was to enhance the community participation of older adults and build a support network among those who live alone and senior leaders. The programme achieved this through news or welfare discussion meetings, outdoor activities, health talks, and volunteer training.

To promote health awareness among older adults, the Hong Kong College of Orthopaedic Surgeons partnered with the programme to provide information on healing chronic pain.

In addition, outdoor activities such as one-day Hong Kong tours were organised, which provided an opportunity for older adults to establish connections with each other and enjoy the city’s attractions. During these activities, Caritas also provided information on social policies, such as priority seating, the Government Public Transport Fare Concession Scheme for the Elderly and Eligible Persons with Disabilities (the $2 Scheme), and the Community Care Service Voucher for the Elderly, which improved their knowledge and understanding of their rights and welfare.

The programme established a mutual support network, which improved the security of vulnerable older persons, including those living alone, enabling them to maintain connections with the community even during the pandemic.

At the annual general meeting, 23 participants attended. Caritas reviewed the programme and recognised the efforts and participation of the older leaders during the past year. The roles and responsibilities of the leaders were shared, and ten new leaders were elected to assist in the implementation of the programme.

Key facts

Main target group: Vulnerable older people (e.g. at risk or victims of abuse, living alone, poor etc.)

Other target group(s): Older people in general

Sector(s): Health, Information and communication, Social protection

Desired outcome for older people:
Learn, grow and make decisions

Other issues the Age-friendly practice aims to address:
  • Healthy behaviours (e.g. physical activity)
  • Participation
  • Technologies

Contact details

Name:

Email address: cwdc_secretariat_gr@had.gov.hk

Age-friendly practice in detail (click to expand):

Engaging the wider community

Project lead: Social or health care provider

How collaboration worked: Collaboration was a key aspect of this programme, particularly in project management and funding. To implement the “Fun Activities for the Elderly” programme, Caritas applied for funding under the Community Involvement Fund of Home Affairs Department. As some of the activities were held in parks, Caritas applied to the Leisure and Cultural Services Department three months in advance for a venue. This involved providing the number of participants, proof of registration of the NGO, venue layout plan, and proof of insurance to coordinate the implementation details. In addition, Caritas contacted the Hong Kong Orthopaedic Association. Two seminars were organised by orthopaedic specialists to share with the older people the causes and treatment of common orthopedic pain problems, including back pain, shoulder and neck pain, and knee pain. This collaboration allowed for a more comprehensive approach to promoting health awareness among older adults and provided a platform for sharing knowledge and resources.

Older people’s involvement: Older people were involved in the age-friendly practice at multiple or all stages

Details on older people’s involvement: In this programme, older adults played a vital role in the age-friendly practice. They served as group leaders, decision-makers, volunteers, and service users, actively contributing to the development and implementation of the programme.

Moving forward

Has the impact of this age-friendly practice been analysed: Yes

Was the impact positive or negative:
Positive

Please share with us what you found in detail:
The “Fun Activities for the Elderly” programme had a positive impact on the community, as more older adults joined and actively participated in the activities. The participants are willing to interact with one another, and some even took on leadership roles, facilitating the process of the activities.

Feedback:
Participant feedback indicated that the “Fun Activities for the Elderly” programme was successful in achieving its objectives. Participants reported that they had gained valuable knowledge on health and current affairs from the activities, and had also met other older adults from the same district, which allowed them to establish connections and build a mutual support network. The programme’s emphasis on community involvement and social engagement enabled participants to maintain connections with the community, even during the pandemic, improving their overall well-being and quality of life.

Looking back

Reflections:
As the activities were held in the Central and Western District, which has many stairs and slopes that are not age-friendly, this may have posed a challenge for some participants. To address this issue, alternative venues that are more accessible for older adults could be considered in future programmes.

Challenges:
One of the main challenges faced was the increasing demand for services for older adults in Hong Kong’s aging society. In response to this challenge, the programme incorporated gerontech and volunteer mobilization as key components to enhance community participation and build a support network among older adults. To address the needs and concerns of older adults, the programme provided a platform for them to express their views on policy issues related to aging in place, such as increasing the number of community care vouchers.