Hong Kong ought to step up coaching and assist for carers of the aged struggling to manage, the top of an advisory physique has mentioned after a suspected murder-suicide try at an upmarket neighbourhood final month introduced the difficulty again into the highlight.
Dr Donald Li Kwok-Tung, chairman of the town’s Aged Fee, mentioned on Saturday that promotion efforts wanted to be ramped as much as fight the taboo towards carers looking for outdoors assist, making certain extra folks obtained the assist they wanted.
“We all know that there are numerous difficulties for carers taking care of the aged. We have now sources that may enable you. You possibly can communicate to somebody on a hotline, there are additionally volunteer organisations who would offer coaching,” he mentioned.
“There are additionally day-respite companies for the aged to present carers a breather.”
Li additionally careworn the significance of coaching care staff introduced in from abroad, whereas authorities wanted to higher promote all accessible sources, reminiscent of utilising docs and social staff.
“How would one observe points with the aged? There may be easy coaching and even one-day programs in Hong Kong for helpers to identify whether or not there are points,” he mentioned. “It’s crucial to concentrate to [the elderly’s] feelings as effectively.”
Ramped-up publicity efforts must also spotlight that efficient take care of seniors was a common concern affecting folks no matter their earnings or background, Li mentioned.
He added that extra promotion work on this entrance would encourage folks to hunt assist relatively than ignoring their issues, or resorting to excessive measures reminiscent of suicide.
Final month, an 84-year-old dementia sufferer was discovered lifeless with tape masking his nostril and mouth at his residence on Beacon Hill in Kowloon Tong, along with his spouse found injured and unconscious.
Police arrested the lady, 71, over the suspected murder-suicide try.
The drive on the time mentioned the sufferer’s spouse had allegedly began excited about killing her husband and herself about two weeks earlier than the incident, as she was involved about being unable to take care of him.
In January, an 80-year-old man died in an alleged murder-suicide try at Shek Mun MTR station. His 71-year-old spouse, who’s disabled and has dementia, survived the incident.
Workers discovered the pair inside a toilet with the couple’s heads lined by plastic luggage tied with strings.
Hong Kong research finds volunteering lowered loneliness amongst aged throughout Covid
Hong Kong research finds volunteering lowered loneliness amongst aged throughout Covid
A police supply mentioned the person was believed to have put the bag on his spouse’s head earlier than doing the identical to himself.
The spate of tragedies has sparked issues concerning the well-being of aged residents and their carers.
Specialists have estimated that 1.3 million carers are presently underneath important stress, with native authorities providing restricted assist and missing tailor-made insurance policies as the town grapples with a quickly ageing inhabitants.