Sponsored by Social Welfare Department and Swire Properties Limited, the Association organised “Joyful Café” to teach elders and their carers to cope with stress.

For three consecutive months, “Joyful Café” had provided a platform for participants to meet once a month and to share emotion management and stress coping skills. With the help of the volunteers, participants discussed their needs and expectations, and hence designed the “We Want” schedule, that balanced the five elements to make a sustainable and healthy lifestyle. They also made collages of fruits to strengthen the sensory systems of the elderly, including visual, tactile, taste and smell. The activity provided quality time for the elderly and the caretakers to enhance communication too.

It is usual that carers face stress due to a burden of responsibility. To avoid undesirable reactions in times of crises, participants gathered to share typical challenges in daily life, and more importantly, develop wellness tools – a list of things that can help tackle difficult situations.

The Association was pleased to invite Mrs. Gwen Kao, Chairman of Charles K. Kao Foundation for Alzheimer's Disease and wife of Professor Charles K. Kao, to share her experience in taking care of dementia patient. She pointed out that carers should ensure a safe and simple home environment, and an effective way of communication with the elderly. It is also essential to take good care of one’s physical and mental health, so as to prevent being stressed by care-taking work. Ms. Yip Hau Yu, Hannah, District Social Welfare Officer (Eastern & Wan Chai) also attended the event to cheer the carers on and to know more about their needs.