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Jockey Club supports a£á?Dementia Concerna£á? campaign

11/15/2014

In its latest initiative to cater for the ageing population and the needs of people with dementia, the Jockey Club Centre for Positive Ageing (JCCPA) has launched a public education campaign to create a more dementia-friendly environment in Hong Kong.

At present, there are around 100,000 elderly people in the community who suffer from dementia, and the number is expected to reach around 220,000 by 2036. Made possible by a HK$2.5 million donation from The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, the Dementia Concern Campaign is designed to enhance awareness, especially among front-line staff in both public and private sectors, by helping them understand the difficulties faced by elderly people with dementia, and encouraging them to lend a helping hand so as to create a dementia-friendly community.

The Club's Executive Manager, Charities, Imelda Chan attended the launch ceremony today (15 November) with JCCPA Director Professor Timothy Kwok, and the Campaign’s Honorary Ambassadors, Chinese University of Hong Kong Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Joseph Sung and celebrity Paula Tsui.

Ms Imelda Chan said the Club was delighted to support the Dementia Concern Campaign and would continue to devote more resources to help build Hong Kong into an age-friendly city in future. “The Campaign is aimed at enhancing front-line professionals’ knowledge and understanding of dementia through educational and promotional activities. We hope the participants like security guards, bank officers and drivers will be better-equipped and more forthcoming in lending a helping hand to the dementia patients.”

Professor Sung appealed to the public to put their kind thoughts into action. “Every little act counts. If everybody shows their concern and care for our elderly, Hong Kong will become a dementia-friendly city.”

Ms Paula Tsui said that through her participation in the Campaign, she had gained a better understanding on dementia and the challenges the patients had to face. “I will show more concern to the elderly with dementia from now on, and hope the citizens can join me to give them more support.”

The Dementia Concern Campaign is a 16-month public education programme under the theme of “Mind the Mind”. It comprises four components to enhance awareness and acceptance of dementia patients, namely Community Education Initiatives, Interactive Talks and Training, an Understanding into Action Programme and Experience Sharing.

One of the major activities is the Dementia Experience, a tailor-made training programme for front-line staff in both the public and private sectors, is aimed at helping participants understand the difficulties faced by dementia patients through simulation activities, and encouraging them to offer suitable assistance.

Organisations enrolling at least 15 employees in the training will be named Dementia Concern Companies. All participants will become Dementia Concern Friends or Ambassadors, to encourage them to apply what they have learned in their workplace and the community at large.

In addition, a large-scale promotional event will be held in September 2015 to leverage on the World Alzheimer’s Day. The entire campaign is expected to benefit some 20,000 people over 16 months. For details, please refer to www.d-concern.com

JCCPA was set up by the Club’s Charities Trust with a donation of HK$81 million in 2000. The Centre operates under the auspices of the Faculty of Medicine of the Chinese University of Hong Kong and serves over 20,000 dementia patients.  It provides integrated day-care services, home-based training and short-term residency for dementia sufferers, as well as support services for their caregivers to help relieve their burden.  The Centre has also committed considerable resources to applied research studies on dementia treatment and the effectiveness of different care services.  For more information about JCCPA, please visit www.jccpa.org.hk

The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class horse racing operator and Hong Kong’s largest community benefactor, as well as one of Asia’s most prestigious membership clubs. Operating as a not-for-profit organisation, the Club allocates its surplus for charitable and community projects. In 2013/14, its donations reached a record $3.6 billion, and in the last decade alone it supported over 1,275 projects. The Club is also Hong Kong’s largest single taxpayer, contributing a record HK$19.58 billion in 2013/14. With about 70% of its revenue given back to society every year through donations and tax contributions, The Hong Kong Jockey Club delivers a significantly higher return to the community than any other racing and/or sports betting organisation in the world. As a socially responsible organisation, the Club helps Government combat illegal betting and advocates responsible gambling. The Club is also one of Hong Kong’s largest employers with over 24,800 full-time and part-time staff. Committed to global excellence and giving back to society, the Club is always “riding high together for a better future” with the people of Hong Kong.

The Club's Executive Manager, Charities, Imelda Chan (2nd left) attended the launch ceremony of the Dementia Concern Campaign with JCCPA Director Professor Timothy Kwok (2nd right), Honorary Ambassadors, Chinese University of Hong Kong Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Joseph Sung (3rd right) and celebrity Paula Tsui (3rd left).
The Club's Executive Manager, Charities, Imelda Chan (2nd left) attended the launch ceremony of the Dementia Concern Campaign with JCCPA Director Professor Timothy Kwok (2nd right), Honorary Ambassadors, Chinese University of Hong Kong Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Joseph Sung (3rd right) and celebrity Paula Tsui (3rd left).

Photos 2/3/4: <br>JCCPA Dementia Concern Campaign Honorary Ambassadors Professor Joseph Sung (photo 2) and Paula Tsui (photo 3) try out some games to experience the difficulties faced by elderly people with dementia in their daily lives.
Photos 2/3/4:
JCCPA Dementia Concern Campaign Honorary Ambassadors Professor Joseph Sung (photo 2) and Paula Tsui (photo 3) try out some games to experience the difficulties faced by elderly people with dementia in their daily lives.



Photos 5/6:<br>The Club's Executive Manager, Charities, Imelda Chan presents certificate to JCCPA Dementia Concern Campaign Honorary Ambassadors Professor Joseph Sung (photo 5) and Paula Tsui (photo 6).
Photos 5/6:
The Club's Executive Manager, Charities, Imelda Chan presents certificate to JCCPA Dementia Concern Campaign Honorary Ambassadors Professor Joseph Sung (photo 5) and Paula Tsui (photo 6).


JCCPA Dementia Concern Campaign Ambassadors group photo.
JCCPA Dementia Concern Campaign Ambassadors group photo.

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