Abstract: Palliative care service is a growing trend for patients with terminal illnesses. The purpose of palliative care service is to improve the quality of life for the patients and their family by providing comprehensive care such as symptoms control, pain relief and counselling support. More and more people prefer to spend the final stage of their life in a comfortable environment with adequate care. Palliative care service in Hong Kong is inadequate and enhancement of the service is needed. This review paper aims to evaluate the current development of palliative care service in Hong Kong and suggest improvement of the service. Literature review of published research studies has been conducted. Compare to other countries or regions, the existing palliative care in Hong Kong is lagging behind the international standards. This study reveals that the system in Hong Kong is lacking of comprehensive policy, thus limiting the organisations to provide the service in small-scale operations, and resulting in fragmentation of the co-operation between the public and private sectors. Factors such as professional training, community engagement, culture and financial issues are affecting the adequacy of palliative care service. To facilitate the development of palliative care service for patients who are in need, initiating palliative care guideline, expanding professional education and training, increasing government funding to organisations that provide palliative care and increasing public awareness about the service are recommended.
Abstract: To reduce the burden of the ageing population, time banking can be one of the possible approaches in the community to maximise social capital. Time banking aims to exchange one’s time to serve others and the time of service can be saved as credit so as to swap for services when necessary. It can create a virtuous cycle for providing and receiving services. Several positive outcomes to service providers and recipients of time banking are identified in this review paper. Nevertheless, there is a lack of practical adoption of time banking in Hong Kong. To analyse the challenges of the adoption of time banking in Hong Kong, the current practices of time banking in Hong Kong, the United States, European countries and Asian countries will be evaluated. To promote time banking in Hong Kong, governmental, technical and educational support are recommended.
Abstract: The demand for elderly services is rising while the problem of the ageing population becomes more serious. Since the prevalence of diseases may increase with age, the elderly may need long-term care services from the nursing homes; meanwhile, they have to give up their original community life. Hong Kong government is advancing the “ageing in place” plan for reducing the overload of nursing homes. This study explores the social and health implications of promoting “ageing in place” in Hong Kong, draws on examples from Singapore and provides suggestions for improvement.
Abstract: Information technology keeps advancing and the use of smartphone and social media has not been widely adopted in the elderly population. The Government has initiated different programmes to promote and enhance the quality of life among older adults. Benefits of using smartphone and social media mainly include maintaining communication with families and friends, finding entertainment, receiving informal education, and enhancing healthcare and safety. However, the elderly gave mixed comments on the use of information technology. Some elderly perceived new technology adoptions as being complicated and difficult to use and non-user-friendly design. Cost-effectiveness and privacy are also barriers to them. To change attitudes of the elderly, the government may cooperate with non-government organisations to organise more promotional activities. Family members and the manufacturers can also assist the elderly by improving cybersecurity and creating a simple and easy-to-use design.
Abstract: Water is vital for maintaining one’s life but dehydration is a prevalent condition among the elderly, particularly during and after admissions to hospitals and nursing homes. Elderlies are vulnerable to dehydration from risk factors such as age-related impairment, chronic diseases and medications. Dehydration among the elderly can be prevented by paying more attention to their fluid intake. Education and reminders to the elderly are also useful in encouraging them to maintain fluids intake. This review paper summarises some diagnostic measurements of dehydration among the elderly. Some recommendations to elderly carers are also suggested.
Abstract: Public awareness for rare diseases has increased in recent years in Hong Kong as patients suffer from long diagnosis process, misdiagnosis and limited financial subsidy for expensive medications. These challenges negatively affect patients’ and caregivers’ quality of life as they continuously suffer from a prolonged period of clinical investigations by different specialists before a diagnosis can be made. The costly and time-consuming process, as well as the lack of experienced clinical genetics professionals are major challenges of rare disease management in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong government adopts an approach of “case by case” instead of formulating a definition of rare disease. New regulations have been performed by the Hospital Authority such as increasing funding for Hong Kong Children’s Hospital for early detection and diagnosis, and review on drug formulary. International collaborations like research and sharing of information is believed to bring optimal benefits for rare disease patients and caregivers, as well as to promote best practices in policy field.
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