Mobilizing Partners for Better Elderly Care: The Experience of a Small NGO in HK

1. The Experience of a Small NGO in HK---Mobilizing partners for better support and care for the elders in primary medical care

2. Background of ELCSS-HK • a multi-service NGO established in 1976 • About 20 elderly units (and projects), 200 staff members serving the elders • District based ( in Shatin , Kwai Chung and Tuen Mun districts)

3. A Heath Promotion Project • Conducted in social centre for 16 yrs • In a deprived public Estate • Services • Medical care: eye and foot caring • Meals service: 40 Single/hidden • Elders • Supported by JC

4. Limitation/ obstacles (in the context of primary care) • Small in scale; • Not linked to medical system • Uniqueness • Successful project but Not sustainable

5. Reflection • Similar situation of small NGOs today in HK • How to involve small NGOs to primary care system?? • Primary Medical Care in Social Service Not a why question! But how?

6. Strategy Change of ELCSS-HK • From single programme to district- base project • Mobilizing partners for better support and care for the elders in primary medical care

7. (01至2003年機構計劃) (key words) • 一條龍地區綜合化 one stop service • 2 4小時加全天候 24 hours • 無夾縫兼及早預防 seamless多元化跨專業合作 multi-disciplinary • 身前死後皆無憂 Life/death education • 社會企業起風雲 social enterprise • 快閃隱蔽…………..Hide elders

11. Exercise Class Tai Chi Practice Volunteer Group PT Exercise Class Walking Aids Structured and Regular Programme (package) Home Visit Home Modification Educational Talk (started 2008) Community Healthcare & Fall Prevention Scheme社區保健及防跌計劃(第三代社區防跌診所) Community Fall & FracturePrevention Centre社區防跌預防中心(started 2002) Group 小組 Vibration Therapy 震動治療 Health Programme 健康教育 Community Clinic 社區診所 Volunteer & Social Support 義エ及其他支援 Enhanced Package 增值套餐服務

12. Success factors (proposed future primary care model ) • Community based and centre-based • One-stop service and elders friendly • Holistic and enhanced care program • Integrated with existing centre service • Volunteers and peer support/ family members mobilized

13. Appropriate Fee charging/incentives • Targeted : tailor-made for elders having fall history • Shared record/data • Research built-in (by university) • A trans-system collaboration ( hospital, university, private health sector and NGO )

14. Close collaboration among professionals • Continuous collaboration • Open and learning team • Solution focused instead of fault finding • Effective communication/ shared mission for intra and inter systems

15. Future Challenges - Only Individual effort? policy support ? - Resources implication: manpower, facilities, space of the centre?? • Evidence based?? and How?? • Culture change?? (Shared ownership)

16. In sum • In line with the healthcare reform , while developing basic models for primary care service: • Social workers are get ready • Small social service units in the district level should be networked • Linked the preventive care services to the public health medical system • 12 factors to enhance cooperation are identified

17. Thank You