With a fast-increasing ageing population of Macao, dementia has become a growing concern among the elderly and the general public. To deal with the issue, Kiang Wu Nursing College of Macau (KWNC) has launched a tailored meta-programme to face with ageing population in Macao, named “Benevolence Lights up My Later Life”. The cross-disciplinary professional training programme aims at providing general and professional gerontology education for different levels of health care professionals and front-line caregivers involved in elderly service as well as the general public or informal family caregivers.

To raise awareness of the symptoms of dementia such as decline of memory, speech, logical reasoning, concentration and problem solving ability, etc. due to the worsening health condition and cerebral functional decline, the first public lecture of “Benevolence Lights up my Later Life” was held at the Ilha Verde Community Centre of UGAMM on 7 May 2011. Entitled “the Forgotten Time”, the lecture was given by Associate Professor Zeng Wen of KWNC with an attendance of over 50 participants, aiming at introducing the training and activities that can enhance elderly patients’ cognitive function (especially in memory), quality of life and behaviours.

Professor Zeng gave a briefing on the training programme of “Benevolence Lights up my Later Life” and the definition of cognitive function. He also explained how cognitive impairment and dementia as well as memory disturbances would affect people’s life, and why environmental design and cognition training are needed. During the lecture, participants were trained to cherish their previous times and brilliant days by recalling memory as far as they can so as to affirm themselves and express their emotion. On that day, the entire lecture was conducted under a warm and harmonious atmosphere.

In addition to the lecture, the first workshop of “Benevolence Lights up my Later Life” was held at Centro Lok Chun of UGAMM on 14 May 2011. Ms. Ma Pui Wan, Director of Centro de Servicos Completos para Idosos Cheng I of UGAMM and Vice-Chairman of Board of Directors of MADA, was invited to be the speaker of “One-day Practical Workshop for Dementia Care” before a visit to the UGAMM community service building. For details, please call 2827 1013 or visit the website: （www.kwnc.edu.mo/web/cmain.htm）.

Professor Zeng Wen, the Speaker

Attendance of over 50 participants in the lecture