Letters | Community-centred technology can help Hong Kong’s seniors age well
Readers discuss digital tools for elder care, the importance of clinical training hours for medical laboratory science, and the need for health authorities to reassure the public
To support this community-based approach, digital tools such as iHealth Screen, developed by the Chinese University of Hong Kong’s Jockey Club Institute of Ageing, hold great promise. Within the scope of the World Health Organization’s Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE) framework, this mobile app enables users to conduct quick health assessments across multiple domains, such as mobility, cognition, mood, nutrition, vision and hearing.
It offers flexibility for care providers, volunteers and trained property management staff in helping frail seniors in the community.
Furthermore, property management companies can install this health app onto touch kiosks positioned in convenient community locations such as lobbies and clubhouses to streamline health check-ups for residents. By promoting early detection and proactive health management, iHealth Screen empowers older adults to maintain independence and enhance their quality of life.
There are also free, online elder care training programmes based on the ICOPE model. These practical, person-centred courses equip frontline staff with the skills to address frailty-related challenges such as falls, memory loss, incontinence and polypharmacy. Unlike traditional disease-specific training, these programmes integrate health and social care perspectives to deliver real-world competencies for supporting older adults in everyday community settings.