Proactive approach

IN Hong Kong chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor’s maiden Policy Address recently, she expanded the voucher schemes for the elderly, especially those discharged from hospital to enjoy caring services at home.

The vouchers, paid by the government, will let them enjoy a convenient and free service from local non-government organisations, saving family members much hassle.

Those entitled to nursing home service vouchers will be able to switch nursing homes if they do not like the service. That is different from the original plan of funding the nursing homes, where money will be given and at their disposal and the residents have almost no say.

The missing or a weak step in the elderly care ladder – home and community care service – has led to a vacuum.

Those who could find their way through the confusing and complex home and community care service system would have to foot the bill with their disposable income. The government’s funding in giving out those vouchers, though a small amount, will create a difference, Fung said.

Hong Kong’s limited land resources have unavoidably meant the city’s ageing problems need better solutions than simply building more nursing homes and elderly facilities. Multipronged solutions with an “innovative thinking and approach”, as the Policy Address puts it, need to be in place as the population ages faster.

Also, as in every crisis humans have faced in history, technology is expected to be the panacea for aging. The government will earmark HK$1bil (RM540mil) to help nursing homes procure new technology to cope with manpower constraints. That, in Fung’s opinion, constitutes part of the multipronged measures and is in a right direction to solve the aging issue.

Some nursing homes in the city have heeded the government’s call to adopt innovative technology to overcome their staff shortages. Some installed an alarm system which alerts caregivers once the diaper of the bed-ridden patient is full. Some also introduced robots to help their early-stage dementia sufferers maintain their cognition and improve the efficiency of staff.