CADENZA Training Programme Carnival fosters inter-generational harmony

5 September 2009

With the continued growth of the city's ageing population, Hong Kong people are not only making more preparations for a fulfilling life after retirement, but also learning how to get along better with the elderly.  Today (5 September), some 1,300 elderly people and their family members joined the "CADENZA: The Joy and Harmony of Inter-generational Solidarity Carnival" at the Hong Kong International Trade & Exhibition Centre in Kowloon Bay, organised as part of the CADENZA Training Programme to promote inter-generational harmony.  Officiating guests at the opening ceremony included Chairman of Elderly Commission Dr the Hon Leong Che-hung; Assistant Director (Elderly) of Social Welfare Department Kathy Ng; The Hong Kong Jockey Club's Executive Director, Charities; William Y Yiu; and CADENZA Project Director Professor Jean Woo.

Mr Yiu observed that the CADENZA Training Programme was one of the core components of CADENZA: A Jockey Club Initiative for Seniors.  "By providing comprehensive and systematic training, this programme not only enhances the knowledge of gerontology among professional healthcare providers and social workers, it also strengthens their quality of service, and enables the general public to understand the needs and concerns of the elderly," he said.  "I hope today's carnival will help participants gain a better understanding of the elderly, and of inter-generational harmony."

An array of activities on offer at the event included games, performances, and free health checks for eyesight, intra-ocular pressure, osteoporosis, cholesterol and blood sugar.  All the activities were designed to underline the importance of enhanced relationships and communication among the elderly, as well as family harmony.

CADENZA: A Jockey Club Initiative for Seniors is a five-year project launched by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust with a donation of HK$380 million in 2006.  The project is aimed at nurturing academic leadership in social gerontology and changing the mindset and attitude of the general public through a range of training and public education programmes.  Cross-sectional collaboration between organisations and the implementation of innovative elderly services and programmes are also encouraged in order to bring about a new mode of elderly care services to prepare for a rapidly ageing society.  Details of CADENZA are available at www.cadenza.hk

The CADENZA Training Programme, led by The Nethersole School of Nursing of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, has received an overwhelming response from the public since its launch in May 2008.  Over 7,800 people including nurses, social workers and physiotherapists, management and executives, as well as the general public, have participated in the training sessions, including more than 30 public seminars that attracted over 5,700 members of the general public.