The Macau Health Association yesterday called on civil society to pay close attention to the physical and mental health of the elderly.
The group made the appeal during a luncheon at The Plaza in Zape.
According to the statement, the banquet – themed “Community Care System for Dementia” and “Barrier-Free Communication for the Elderly” – called on society to pay close attention to the physical and mental health of senior citizens. It attracted around 400 local seniors and representatives from various sectors.
3-point proposal for dementia support system
In response to Macau’s ageing population, Virginia Kong Wei Sam, director-general of the group, proposed three initiatives for a community support system for dementia:
First, establish an early help-seeking and health education mechanism: promote systematic health education information and guide families with suspected or newly diagnosed cases to connect precisely with medical and social welfare resources, reducing confusion and anxiety.
Second, expand local daycare and residential facilities: advocate that care facilities should be “localised” and recommend that the government expand relevant institutions in Macau, making it easier for family members to visit their loved ones and enabling ageing in place*. The government’s continued improvement of services – such as home care, day respite care**, and short-term residential respite care – together with the forthcoming completion of the “Elderly Residential Building” in Zone A, has given the public greater confidence in Macau’s future comprehensive elderly care system and brings practical support and peace of mind to families affected by dementia.
Third, draw on the mature experience of “respite services” and “integrated community care systems” in other regions, with government-funded provision of short-term respite care, psychological counselling, and professional caregiving skills training. This would comprehensively relieve the physical and mental pressure on caregivers, prevent caregiver burnout, and provide long-term, sustainable support for families affected by dementia.
Meanwhile, the banquet also invited TVB actor Matthew Ho Kwong-pui to share his personal experience of being fitted with an AI-powered smart hearing aid.
He said that performing arts work places extremely high demands on hearing and concentration, and that advanced AI hearing technology can precisely filter out background noise and lock onto human voices, improving his communication efficiency both at work and in everyday social settings.
He also encouraged elderly people to proactively undergo hearing tests, overcome any psychological reservations, maintain family relationships through clear communication, and actively take part in social activities.
* Ageing in place refers to the ability of older adults to live in their own homes and communities safely, independently, and comfortably as they grow older, rather than moving to an assisted living facility or nursing home. – Gemini
** Day respite care (often referred to as adult day care or daytime respite services) is a structured service that provides short-term relief for primary family caregivers by offering professional care, supervision, and social activities for older adults or individuals with care needs during daytime hours. - Gemini
Macau Health Association Director-General Virginia Kong Wei Sam addresses yesterday’s lunch banquet at The Plaza Restaurant in Zape. – Photo: Armindo Neves
