Kwun Tong's CADENZA 18-District Programme addresses preparedness for end of life

20 March 2010

Some two-thirds of end-of-life patients in Hong Kong are suffering chronic illnesses.  Around half of them are dementia patients while the rest have heart disease, lung or kidney failure.  Even at the end stage of life, however, people should have the right to make their own choices on medical treatment and decide where to spend their days.  With support from Kwun Tong District Council, the CADENZA 18-District Programme made its latest stop at Telford Plaza today (20 March), addressing the importance of good preparation in later life for the elderly and their family members, and outlining the range of end-of-life treatments and services available in Hong Kong.

Guest speaker Dr Jenny Lee, CADENZA Fellow and Specialist of Geriatric Medicine at Shatin Hospital, explained that most chronic disease sufferers shared common symptoms in the late stages of their illness, such as lower limb weakness, fatigue, difficulty in swallowing, pain and frequent hospital admissions.  At these times, family members and caregivers had to pay more attention to their needs.  "Before this happens, though, the elderly should tell their family members or caregivers about their preferences for living quality and medical treatments in the end-of-life period, in order to avoid any conflicts later," she said.  Dr Lee also noted that the elderly could choose to stay at home for longer periods with the support of community care and hospital outreach services.

Another speaker, CADENZA Fellow Dr Amy Chow from the Department of Social Work and Social Administration at The University of Hong Kong, observed that the elderly were more willing to talk about death than the young.  With an open discussion on the arrangements for the late stages of their lives, family members can reduce their emotional burden in guessing what patient wants. Family can reach a consensus relatively easier and spend the end stage in a more meaningful way with a closer relationship. 

"Patients in the late stages of illness are commonly found to be emotionally overwhelmed and tend to use anger to express their frustration. This can lead to miscommunication and ruin the relationship with the family," Dr Chow said.  "On the other hand, sometimes patients and family members want to protect one another by suppressing their real concern. The lack of genuine communication widens the gap of the family members and patients. Some family members become extremely regretful after the death of the patient for not making full use of the final stage.  In such cases, family members should show their care and concern by using appropriate communication skills."

Artistes Tam Bing Man, Jason Chan, Sherman Chung, Fiona Fung and Chita Yu joined the event to help introduce hospice care services through drama and games, and encourage the public to be well prepared for the end of life.  Members of the Club's CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team, Shining Sky of Yau Tong and Lei Yue Mun Estate Residents' Union were also on hand to demonstrate the ten "Hong Kong Can Do Exercise" routines, designed by Honorary Life Chairman of the Hong Kong Wing Chun Union, Ip Chun.  Each of the ten routines encapsulates a message of positive living, with the aim of promoting a healthy lifestyle among the public.

Highlights of the programme will be broadcast on RTHK Radio 5's "Brilliant Life" at 4:00 pm on Friday 2 April.

The CADENZA 18-District Programme is a citywide public education initiative jointly organised by CADENZA: A Jockey Club Initiative for Seniors and RTHK Radio 5.  It aims to promote positive ageing and equip the soon-to-be-old with knowledge that can help them continue to live an active and positive life.  Since January 2009, a monthly programme of public interactive events and activities has been taking place in each of Hong Kong's 18 districts in turn.

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 aims 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.

125th Anniversary of The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is celebrating its 125th Anniversary in 2009/10 season.  Over the past 125 years, it has become one of Hong Kong's best known and respected organisations, providing the public with world-class sporting entertainment as well as being the city's major non-Government community benefactor, now donating more than HK$1 billion a year to charitable and community projects.  It has been a part of Hong Kong through good times and bad, sharing the city's growth and development with its people, and is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for future generations.