Hong Kong News
Nonpartisan, Noncommercial, unconstrained.
Saturday, Feb 22, 2025
Real, Diverse, Unbiased.
Tragedy sparks calls for monitoring of home-alone elders
Authorities should compile a list of elderly individuals and couples living alone across all districts for easy monitoring and provision of care services, social workers have urged.
The calls came days after a 59-year-old woman and her 86-year-old father - both chronically ill - were found dead at their home in Mei Foo Sun Chuen on Mother's Day. The father apparently died from a heart attack while his wheel-chair bound daughter starved to dead in bed.
Society for Community Organization secretary Yuen Shuk-yan said if information from different social service providers could be combined and cross referenced, they could "help the government spot higher-risk families."
When asked about families that might not be logged into the government service system, Yuen said "social workers are already doing lots of outreach services, like putting up information booths at markets to promote service information.
"But currently caregivers need to take their own initiative to learn about government services. There are many obstacles."
Yuen hopes the government can spread the word and promote such services.
Concern for Grassroots' Livelihood Alliance head Wong Kai-hing further suggests the government have a comprehensive case manager.
"Currently, clients' information is stored separately in different service departments," Wong said.
"Having a comprehensive case manager could enable the government to carry out actions more proactively and efficiently."
The social services department is planning to launch a 24/7 caregiver hotline this year to provide counseling and outreach services.
Wong said the government should also provide help in service applications and arrangements on the hotline for caregivers to manage emergency situations.
An assistant professor in the department of counselling and psychology at Hong Kong Shue Yan University, Lau Hi-po, said the government should adopt family-centered service provision.
Lau said there had also been a rise in the number of "double-aging" families where one aging family member is taking care of another elderly family member.
"If we look at things individually, we may not be able to see that they are also caregivers," which could indicate that the family needs more support.
Society for Community Organization secretary Yuen Shuk-yan said if information from different social service providers could be combined and cross referenced, they could "help the government spot higher-risk families."
When asked about families that might not be logged into the government service system, Yuen said "social workers are already doing lots of outreach services, like putting up information booths at markets to promote service information.
"But currently caregivers need to take their own initiative to learn about government services. There are many obstacles."
Yuen hopes the government can spread the word and promote such services.
Concern for Grassroots' Livelihood Alliance head Wong Kai-hing further suggests the government have a comprehensive case manager.
"Currently, clients' information is stored separately in different service departments," Wong said.
"Having a comprehensive case manager could enable the government to carry out actions more proactively and efficiently."
The social services department is planning to launch a 24/7 caregiver hotline this year to provide counseling and outreach services.
Wong said the government should also provide help in service applications and arrangements on the hotline for caregivers to manage emergency situations.
An assistant professor in the department of counselling and psychology at Hong Kong Shue Yan University, Lau Hi-po, said the government should adopt family-centered service provision.
Lau said there had also been a rise in the number of "double-aging" families where one aging family member is taking care of another elderly family member.
"If we look at things individually, we may not be able to see that they are also caregivers," which could indicate that the family needs more support.
