From Year 2006 to Year 2010, the number of elders aged 65 or above in Macao has increased from 35,355 (7.0%) to 44,200 (8.0%). In view of the fast-increasing ageing population of Macao, Kiang Wu Nursing College of Macau (KWNC), under the sponsorship of the Social Welfare Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, launches a tailored meta-programme named “Benevolence Lights up my Later Life” to tackle problems related to the ageing society. The training programme of “Benevolence Lights up my Later Life” encompasses five dimensions: 1. Healthy ageing and cohesion of intergenerational relation; 2. Spiritual care of the elderly; 3. Management of chronic diseases and hospice care; 4. Prevention and care of dementia; 5. Elderly care in communities and nursing homes. Since dementia has become a pressing concern among the elderly and the Macao Community, “Dementia Prevention and Care” is set as a preliminary scheme of the programme.

As the disease worsens, patients of dementia experience degeneration of brain function. They often encounter functional decline including decline of memory, speech, logical reasoning, concentration and problem-solving ability. As caregivers, it is crucial to learn to adapt to patients’ degeneration, arrange the corresponding training and offer the appropriate care to them.

The first public lecture of “Benevolence Lights up my Later Life” was held earlier at Ilha Verde Community Centre of General Union of Neighbourhood Associations of Macau (UGAMM). The lecture entitled “The Forgotten Time” was given by Dr. Zeng Wen, Associate Professor of KWNC and Chairman of Board of Directors of Macau Alzheimer’s Disease Association (MADA). At the lecture, Dr. Zeng Wen introduced the training programme of “Benevolence Lights up my Later Life”. He also gave an overview about cognitive function, cognitive impairment and dementia, patients’ memory decline and its impact to patients’ daily life, and the effective home setting and cognitive training that tackle memory decline and help improve patients’ quality of life. In addition, Dr. Zeng introduced the Reminiscence therapy and talked about some past events to evoke participants’ long-term memory and allow them to assure themselves and express their emotions by reminiscing their glorious time in the past. On that day, the lecture hosted about 50 participants under a harmonious and enthusiastic atmosphere.

Moreover, the first caregiver training workshop named “One-day Practical Workshop for Dementia Care and Institutional Visit” was held on last Saturday at Centro Lok Chun of UGAMM. The workshop was given by Ms. Ma Pui Wan, Head of Centro de Servicos Completos para Idosos Cheng I of UGAMM and Vice-Chairman of Board of Directors of MADA. The workshop aimed at introducing to family caregivers the skills of caring dementia patients. In addition, by arranging visits to elderly service institutions, the workshop hoped to enhance informal caregivers and family caregivers’ understanding of the community care provided to dementia patients. Ms. Ma shared with participants her experience in offering day care and nursing home care to dementia patients. After the workshop, Deputy Director-General of Social Services Office of UGAMM Ms. Lao Weng Si arranged the participants to pay visits to several elderly service institutions, including the community services building of UGAMM - Centro I Chon, “Peng On Tung” Tele-Assistance Services Centre and Centro de Cuidados Especiais Rejuvenescer. More than 40 participants spent a joyful day in taking part in the workshop and visit.

Furthermore, the second caregiver training workshop named “Home Life Care for Older Persons with Dementia” will be held on 21 May 2011 (Saturday) at 2:30pm at Centro de Cuidados Especiais Rejuvenescer of UGAMM. The workshop will be given by Dr. Leong Sok Man, Assistant Professor of KWNC and Vice-Chairman of Board of Directors of MADA. Interested parties are welcome to attend. For enquiries, please call 2822 6850 or browse the website （www.kwnc.edu.mo/web/cmain.htm）.

Attendance of over 50 participants at the lecture

Professor Zeng Wen (2nd from left) with Ms. Ma Pui Wan (3rd from left) and Ms. Lao Weng Si (4th from left)

Ms. Lao Weng Si (1st from the left) and visitors to organizations