Hong Kong should step up training and support for carers of elderly, advisory body says after spate of murder-suicide attempts
- Dr Donald Li, chairman of Elderly Commission, also says promotion efforts must be ramped up to combat taboo against carers seeking outside help
- Li stresses care for elderly is universal issue, month after man with dementia found dead and woman arrested over suspected murder-suicide attempt at Beacon Hill
Hong Kong should step up training and support for carers for the elderly struggling to cope, the head of an advisory body has said after a suspected murder-suicide attempt at an upmarket neighbourhood last month brought the issue back into the spotlight.
Dr Donald Li Kwok-tung, chairman of the Elderly Commission, said on Saturday promotion efforts needed to be ramped up to combat the taboo against carers seeking outside help, ensuring more people received the support they needed.
“We know that there are many difficulties for carers looking after the elderly. We have resources that can help you. You could speak to someone on a hotline, there are also volunteer organisations who would provide training,” he said.
“There are also daytime respite services for the elderly to give carers a breather.”
Li also stressed the importance of training care workers brought in from overseas, while authorities needed to better promote all available resources, such as using doctors and social workers.
“How does one observe issues with the elderly? There is simple training or even one-day courses in Hong Kong for helpers to spot whether there are issues,” he said. “It’s very important to pay attention to [the elderly’s] emotions as well.”
