A pilot scheme designed to support the elderly and carers in their communities has been serving households in a total of 36 sub-districts in the Tsuen Wan and Southern districts since its launch in March. The District Services & Community Care Teams – Pilot Scheme on Supporting Elderly & Carers provides caring services and follow-up support to those in need. One elderly couple who have benefited from the scheme are Mr and Mrs Yiu.
They live alone and have recently experienced challenges. “I was quite confident in myself as I was healthy and could do anything,” said Mrs Yiu. “Now, though, my husband is not well, and I think it would be better if there was someone else to stand by me.
” Mr Yiu has long-term health conditions such as high blood pressure and arrhythmia, and has difficulty walking. When he suffered a heart attack earlier this year, Mrs Yiu suddenly felt isolated and unsure of what to do. “I was so nervous when he had a heart attack in the middle of the night,” she recounted.
“He cramped up afterwards, and I felt like my heart was doing the same. I felt very helpless, all alone.” Community resources Recognising that they needed help, Mrs Yiu sought assistance at a booth manned by a Care Team in their local community.
The team helped her to register for the pilot scheme, which has allowed the couple to access community resources and help with daily living. Thanks to a subsidy, they can also make use of an emergency alarm system in their home. “Aft.
