In response to the rapidly-growing ageing population of Macao and to act in line with the policy direction of the Macao SAR Government about developing a comprehensive and systematic education on active ageing to build up a prevention-oriented and harmonious society, Kiang Wu Nursing College of Macau (KWNC) has launched a tailored meta-programme to face with ageing population in Macao, entitled “Benevolence Lights up my Later Life” under the sponsorship of the Social Welfare Bureau. The Programme, commenced with a preliminary scheme named “Dementia Prevention and Care” in view of the pressing concerns on dementia among the Macao elderly and society, is scheduled to complete within one and a half years. During the period, public lectures and workshops designed for professionals, caregivers and the general public will be organized while two research projects and some exchange visits will be initiated.

The second caregiver training workshop was held earlier at Centro de Cuidados Especiais Rejuvenescer of UGAMM, given by Dr. Leong Sok Man, Assistant Professor of KWNC and Vice-Chairman of Board of Directors of Macau Alzheimer’s Disease Association (MADA), on the topic of “Home Life Care for Older Persons with Dementia”. The workshop aims at raising dementia caregivers’ awareness of the latest caring trend, family setting design and technology, exercises suitable for dementia patients, preventive skills for family accidents and advanced caring skills designed for tackling special problems of dementia patients, etc. Meanwhile, Associate Professor of KWNC and Chairman of Board of Directors of MADA Dr. Zeng Wen, Lecturer of KWNC and Board Member of MADA Ms. Lau Gar Bo were also invited to be group instructors of the workshop.

During the workshop, Dr. Leong introduced the initial symptoms of dementia, played relevant video clips and illustrated the effective communication skills through demonstration to strengthen participants’ memory. After that, participants were asked to sketch and express their own opinions about a home setting suitable for patients to live in. This sharing allowed participants to learn from one another in a more interactive way. Lastly, instructors and participants discussed a number of cases including medicine handling, patients’ reluctance towards bathing, their wishful thinking and unstable emotion. Through these group discussions, participants gained more ideas on the different ways of taking care of the patients in their daily life. On that day, the workshop hosted more than 50 participants under a joyful atmosphere. All participants felt that they had benefited a lot from attending the workshop.

Further to the above workshop, “Benevolence Lights up my Later Life” is going to hold another public lecture and caregiver training workshop in this month. The lecture, entitled “When Parents, Family Members or Friends Suffer from Dementia” will be held from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. on 19 June 2011 (Sunday) at Iao Hon Community Centre of UGAMM, given by Dr. Lam Wan Mei, Director of the Seniors Academy of Macao Polytechnic Institute and Board Member of MADA. Another workshop for caregivers, entitled “Strategy for Activating Cerebrum: Dementia Exercising Tips”, will be held from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. on 25 June 25 (Saturday) at Centro de Dia do Porto Interior of UGAMM, given by Dr. Zhao Wenwei, Attending Neurologist of Kiang Wu Hospital and Board Member of MADA, together with Dr. Tam Ian Kit from Kiang Wu Hospital Neurology Department. Interested parties are welcome to join these activities. For more details, please browse the website:（ www.kwnc.edu.mo/web/cmain.htm ）。

Group discussions
　
　

President Van Iat Kio (3rd from right), Speaker Dr. Leong Sok Man (2nd from right), Professor Zeng Wen (3rd from left) and Lecturer Lau Gar Bo (1st from left)