Watch carefully! This magician's tricks are winning over Hong Kong's elderly and improving cognition
Magician teams up with NGO training centre to make life better for Hong Kong dementia patients by teaching them tricks of his trade
With skilled sleight of hand and no little charm, a top Hong Kong magician is helping make life more interesting for elderly dementia patients.
Harrius, 25, has worked with social workers and occupational therapists for two years in tailoring the set of interactive training sessions for dementia sufferers.
The magic programme will help exercise patients' minds and memory, and improve their concentration span and the use of their hands, said occupational therapist Chan Yu-wai, who helped formulate the programme which started two years ago.
"We hope to prolong the patients' current health," said Tong Choi-ying, a social worker with the NGO. "Most of the training exercises are boring, but these magic tricks help the elderly become happier. And when they are in better moods, it is also easier for their family members to care for them."
Only a quarter of around 80,000 Hongkongers diagnosed with dementia are actually receiving treatment or help, with most of the treatment focused on medication and less on training and exercise, according to Tong.