Let’s celebrate a landmark achievement in cross-sector collaboration! YWCA Ellen Li District Elderly Community Centre collaborates with the Occupational Therapy Department of North District Hospital to launch the “Smart & Fun Therapy @Home” initiative. Out of 399 projects, it stood out and was honoured the “Age-Friendly Collaborator Award” in the Jockey Club Age-friendly City Partnership Scheme.

This initiative establishes a comprehensive service chain – hospital assessment, community support, and home-based training – for patients with moderate dementia, aiming to enhance their daily functioning and community participation. North District Hospital provides personalised assessment, while YWCA conducts follow-up training. Family members are equipped with caregiving skills through workshops, enabling patients to continue engaging in cognitive stimulation activities. 200 sets of home-based cognitive training materials have also been developed and produced, extending professional therapy into household setting. With the support from the Social Welfare Department, the establishment of a “Toy Library” further encourages social interaction and provides additional cognitive training for the patients. 

Since its implementation, the initiative has benefited over 260 families, successfully establishing a model among medical professionals, social services, families, and patients. This cross-sector collaboration not only alleviates pressure on the healthcare system but also turns the North District into a dementia-friendly community. Professor Paul Lam Kwan-sing, President of Hong Kong Metropolitan University, praised the model as “an innovative approach to addressing social pain points, embodying the deep integration of technology and humanity”.