Introduction

Through collaboration with community organizations in Sham Shui Po, about 200 adult volunteers pay monthly visits to singleton or chronically ill elders, and aged couples living in old private housing in the district. They provide about 100 elders with services like health checks, social activities, health education and emotional support to broaden the social network and support for them.

photo taken in community visit event in the year 2013

volunteers furnish the gate for the elderly before Chinese New Year in 2014

Service Content

According to the Censes and Statistic Department, Shamshuipo District accommodates a higher percentage of elderly age over 65. The elderly seldom reach-out for community service and are difficult to be reached by mainstream elderly service agencies, they are vulnerable and being neglected, especially those singletons, disable elders, or those are having chronic illness. Their psychical, social and mental health are threaten, especially for those living in old building. The unfavorable living conditions, in terms of low accessibility, insufficient social facilities and poor hygiene conditions, greatly affect their physical and mental needs.

In response to the need of those homebound elderly households living in old private housing of the District, the Hong Kong Red Cross initiated the ‘Community Health Care Project for Homebound Elderly in Shamshuipo’ since August 2004. The project is coordinated and supported by local community partners. The volunteers provide basic medical check-ups and provide community and health information to the elderly through regular monthly visit. Festive activities and household cleaning service are also provided to elderly regularly.

Apart from providing health related service to the needy elderly, volunteers built up in-depth relationship with them. Very positive feedbacks were received clients and all parties involved that reflect the worthiness of this collaboration in the District.

Service target
Elders who are living in the Shamshuipo old private housing with poor social network and lacking of support from family or friends. Higher priority will be offered to those elders who are having chronic illness and physical disability.

Project objectives

• To promote health knowledge and enhance health condition of homebound elderly households living in old private housing of Shamshuipo District;
• To provide social and emotional support to homebound elderly households living in old private housing of Shamshuipo District;
• To build up the social and mutual support network among homebound elderly households living in old private housing in Shamshuipo District.

For matters relating to Red Sham Project, please contact us at Red Sham Project, Hong Kong Red Cross Head Office
Tel: (852) 2514 2260
Fax: (852) 3103 4010
Address: 19 Hoi Ting Road, West Kowloon, Hong Kong
Email: redsham@redcross.org.hk