Authors (including presenting author) :
KAM KW(1), LAU CC(2), LAM SH(3)
Affiliation :
(1)Patient Resources Centre, TMH (2)Department of Medicine & Geriatrics, TMH (3)Occupational Therapy Department, TMH
Introduction :
A rising wave of dementia has a significant impact to healthcare services. Patients with dementia and their carers report to have a wide range of needs, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. If left unmet, unnecessary hospitalization could be expected. Meanwhile, international experiences show the value and potential of involving volunteers to augment the community support for patients with dementia and carers.
Objectives :
A medical social collaboration project - Telecare Volunteer Service has been launched which aims to bridge patients with dementia and carers to suitable community services for enhancing the community care; and provide empowerment information and emotional support to attenuate cares’ stress
Methodology :
1. Planning and preparation: Mapped out the service delivery model and implementation plan with community partners. A special volunteer team was formed while retired professional staff of HA were also invited as volunteers. 2. Smart volunteering workforce: Nurtured a robust and flexible volunteer team with skills and knowledge on dementia for providing support services. Volunteers also equipped knowledge on advanced technology for improving the quality of service delivery. 3. Service implementation: The Telecare Volunteer Service was carried out under close supervision. Patients and/or carers would be contacted within 3 working days upon referral from clinical team. Resource kits would be provided to facilitate the homecare of patients. 4. Evaluation and reporting: Focus groups for volunteers and semi-structured interview with carers were conducted for service evaluation. The project had also been reported regularly at relevant governance.
Result & Outcome :
Although COVID-19 pandemic imposed significant challenges on service delivery, this project had been successfully implemented and well-recognised by service users. A smart workforce was nurtured with 24 experienced volunteers actively providing telecare services. In 2021, the project served over 170 service users with over 350 calls and 500 volunteer service hours. It also received the Best Project Award on “Responding to the Community’s Need” from Social Welfare Department. Feedbacks from focus group and interviews suggested that the project provided a realistic and cost-effective solution on strengthening the quality of care for patients with dementia. Leverage on the successful experience, this project has been extended to all target patients in NTWC.
