The Macau Carers Association held its 10th-anniversary celebrations and an awards ceremony for carers at the Macau General Union of Neighbourhood Associations (UGAMM), commonly known as Kai Fong, headquarters in the Toi San district on Saturday.
Lam In Nie, president of the association, said in a speech that since its establishment in 2016, the association has supported carers through three key areas: empowering them with knowledge, listening and offering companionship, and providing care to lighten their burden.
The association runs courses to teach caregiving skills, operates a helpline to listen to carers’ concerns, and provides assistive devices to reduce physical strain, she said. Lam emphasised that carers are the mainstay of their families and must take care of themselves before they can look after others. She noted that the association will continue to serve as a solid pillar of support, working to raise societal recognition of the professional value of carers. Lam also called on all sectors of the community to work together to protect the dignity of the elderly and build a more comprehensive support system for carers.
The event also featured a presentation by UGAMM’s Macau Assistive Technology Resources Centre on assistive devices. A representative from the centre introduced two exoskeleton walking aids* that will be available for rent this month. She said that elderly people with insufficient lower limb strength can use these devices to assist with walking and to train their leg muscles, adding that those who wish to purchase such devices can contact the manufacturer through the centre.
Speaking to the Post on the sidelines of the event, Lam pointed out that Thursday’s shocking incident reflects the immense pressure experienced by both carers and those in their care, and that civil society needs to strengthen family communication and emotional support. Lam added that Macau’s welfare provisions for the elderly are comprehensive; the key lies in teaching families how to make good use of available resources. She suggested fostering a culture of respect for the elderly from an early age, emphasising that “family support is very important”. Lam also noted that many elderly people lack family care, and that society ought to reinforce the message that family members should look after and care for their elders.
According to a report by the Post, the Judiciary Police (PJ) arrested a 42-year-old local man on Thursday for encouraging his father, who suffers from a chronic illness and depression, to commit suicide and for providing him with disinfectant to drink.
Hoi Choi Han, director of UGAMM’s “Centro de Cuidados Especiais Rejuvenescer” (“Rejuvenate Special Care Centre”), told the Post that some of Macau’s social services organisations offer support services such as day care, home care and in-home assistance. Carers should take the initiative to seek help and connect community resources to their families, she said.
Hoi urged families in need to seek assistance proactively, adding that social service organisations will provide the necessary support.
*An exoskeleton walking aid is a wearable, mobile robotic device designed to assist, augment, or restore physical movement and walking capabilities. – Gemini
Macau Carers Association President Lam In Nie addresses Saturday’s awards ceremony at the Kai Fong headquarters in Toi San district. – Photos: Armindo Neves
Macau General Union of Neighbourhood Associations (UGAMM) Rejuvenate Special Care Centre Director Hoi Choi Han poses at the UGAMM headquarters on Saturday.
