Creating Spaces to Support Carers
As Hong Kong’s population ages rapidly, many of us need to bear the responsibility of caring for our elders in the community. Those taking on these obligations play an increasingly vital and challenging role in facilitating ageing in place.
The 2021 Population Census found that over 240,000 carers in Hong Kong were providing long-term care for elders in the community. To provide community carers with much-needed support, the Club’s Charities Trust has initiated the Jockey Club Carer Space Project with a donation of HK$290 million to establish nine Carer Spaces across the city. The project’s launch ceremony took place on 23 May.
Partnering with five non-governmental organisations, the initiative covers a range of carer-centric services for carers and their elders. The University of Hong Kong has also been engaged to develop a self-assessment tool that helps carers gain a deeper understanding of their own needs and encourages them to seek necessary assistance. This will help the social services sector identify high-risk families early on to provide timely intervention.
Speaking at the launch ceremony, Club Steward Lester Huang highlighted that one of the Club’s strategic charities focus areas is Positive Ageing & Elderly Care. “We believe the Jockey Club Carer Space Project will raise public awareness about caregivers and become a reference for similar services in the long term, fostering a caregiver-friendly community, reflecting the Club’s commitment to the betterment of our society,” he said.
Other than offering leisure spaces for caregivers to recharge, the project provides holistic support services, including professional assistance in navigating their caregiving journey, counselling services, and opportunities for carers to share their experiences with others and foster mutual support.
The Carer Spaces also provide flexible daytime respite services for the elderly, where carers can feel at ease to take a break and participate in a range of activities. The project operates on a membership basis, free of charge for carers. Over the five-year project period, it is expected to benefit more than 27,000 carers and 15,000 elderly care recipients.