Caregivers need better training
Recently, a caregiver who badly ill-treated an elderly woman was given a six-month jail term and ordered to pay HK$3,000 in compensation. Many people are concerned about the quality of the homes for the elderly. The Social Welfare Department says it has implemented several measures to prevent abuses at these centres.
The department will investigate whether the homes have violated regulations under the Enhanced Bought Place Scheme. If there are any irregularities, the department could enforce penalties, such as a reduction in subsidies or the number of places it buys from the homes.
Many people believe caregivers should receive better training. Looking after elderly people is stressful because staff have to pay attention all the time and do multiple tasks.
In most homes, each caregiver needs to take care of about 30 residents. Therefore, it is important that staff are well-trained, especially those who have to look after people with illnesses such as Alzheimer's disease.
Besides, the Elderly Commission has proposed a grading system for privately run old people's homes. It also wants to look into allowing families to top up welfare subsidies so the elderly can have a choice of moving into homes with better facilities.