Authors (including presenting author) :
Carol HO KW(1), Eddie CHAN TC(1)
Affiliation :
(1) Medical Social Service Department, Cheshire Home Chung Hom Kok
Introduction :
The Cheshire Home, Chung Hom Kok (CCH) is a public hospital provides extended care for patients with physical disabilities and chronic illnesses. We also deliver support to the caregivers who are facing challenges in patients’ journey. Thus, a survey from CCH Medical Social Workers was conducted in June 2018, as to enhance our understanding on caregivers’ need and support. The result indicated that more than 90% of the caregivers' heavily involved in patients’ hospital life such as providing them personal care, emotional support and communicate with health care professional as obtaining their family members’ optimal care. Apart from this, we observed the caregivers are facing different challenges such as their aging problem, chronic illness and caregiver stress. Therefore, a 1-year empowerment project with series of meaningful activities were organized for patients, caregivers and volunteers with support from community partners, Chinese practitioner, photographers, CCH volunteers group and CCH Senior Management.
Objectives :
(1) Enrich caregivers and volunteers’ skills and knowledge on self-care management and plan for healthy living.
(2) Strengthen caregivers’ competence and confidence on taking care of both themselves and the patients.
(3) Empower caregivers accessing the community resources as to improve their well-being and quality of life.
Methodology :
Evaluation Form for the Project was designed to measure participants’ overall satisfactory rate towards the Project. Subjects were (1) Caregivers from CCH; (2) CCH Volunteers & (3) Long-stay patients living in Original Home and New Home. Outcome measures were categorized as: Satisfaction Survey.
Result & Outcome :
The project was commenced in Jan 2019 and successfully completed in Sept 2019. 89 caregivers, 13 volunteers and 34 long-stay patients were participated in the project. Two educational talks related to healthy well-being, handling sleeping problem, stress management stress and utilization of community resource for caregivers, One caregiver support workshop about Meridians and Acupoints Massage for relieving stress and improving wellbeing and a Family Fun Day with singing performance, game booths, community resources booth and family photo taking. Over 80% of participants have completed the evaluation form after each activity, the overall satisfaction rate is 4.5/5.
We also work closely with the community partners including Hong Kong Tuberculosis, Chest and Heart Diseases Association, St. James Settlement, Hong Kong Family Welfare Society & The Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation to make this project a success. The 1-year project (10/2018-9/2019), “Self-care Management series for Caring Angels” could benefit the participants, achieve all the objective and also uphold the importance of medical social collaboration.
