The General Union of Neighbourhood Associations of Macau (UGAMM) held a Mid-Autumn Festival gift offering event yesterday afternoon, which was sponsored by the Macau Foundation (FM), at its subsidiary, the Patane Residents’ Mutual Help Association’s centre on Rua da Palmeira, to give gift packs and festive blessings to the district’s elderly residents.
The union is generally known as “Kai Fong”, its name in Cantonese.
According to a statement by UGAMM, a total of 2,032 gift packs were given out during the event, primarily to the district’s elderly, especially those living alone, as well as single-parent families and the disabled, although everyone present also received a gift pack. The statement added that each gift pack consisted of a box of mooncakes, chicken bouillon powder and porridge oats.
Apart from giving out gift packs, the event also included a speech by UGAMM’s Vice-President Lok Nam Tak and a session where participants expressed their feedback and needs.
According to Lok, the Mid-Autumn Festival is traditionally an important time for people to reunite with their families, and it is this custom that can slow down the pace of modern life and give people time to appreciate the beauty of the changing seasons. He added that as the Mid-Autumn Festival is approaching, he hoped to bring warmth to the elderly and share the festive happiness with the neighbourhood, thus creating a more positive community atmosphere.
This year, the Mid-Autumn Festival falls on September 29, the 15th day of the 8th lunar month.
‘Community nursing important to addressing Macau’s ageing population problem’
In his speech, Lok also highlighted the importance of community nursing against the backdrop of Macau’s ageing population, where “ageing in place” is becoming the preferred option for many of the elderly. “Many of Macau’s senior citizens are opting to stay in their own home and so there is an increased demand for community support services,” he added, affirming that nursing training was playing a vital role in improving service quality. According to Lok, community nursing faces an acute manpower shortage since many qualified nurses tend to prefer to work in hospital or clinical settings.
“Ageing in place” is defined by sociologists as the ability to live in one’s own home and community safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level.
Lok urged the government to have a thorough review and discussion on the “Ten Year Action Plan for Elderly Services 2016-2025” in order to pinpoint areas for improvement. He added: “It is important to not only attract more young locals to consider studying nursing, but also to encourage more nursing graduates to join the community nursing profession.”
Participants and Kai Fong representatives, including its Vice-President Lok Nam Tak (third from right, first row, holding banner), pose for a group photo in the gift offering and festive blessing event at the Patane Residents’ Mutual Help Association’s centre yesterday. – Photo: Gabriel Tam
