Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor (second from left), chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, tours booths displaying gerontech devices with Lam Ching-choi (left), chairman of the Elderly Commission in Hong Kong, in November. [Photo provided to China Daily]
A pilot project has helped to give housebound elderly a new lease on life. Kathy Zhang reports from Hong Kong.
In January, nonagenarian Ng Lai-kuen visited her husband's grave for the first time in 15 years. Through all those years, she had been unable to climb the steep hill to the site where her husband is buried, so the trip was a dream come true.
The fulfillment of her dream was made possible by the "stair climber," an operator-assisted device with three wheels at each end of an axle that enables objects to be moved easily on steps.
The device, part of a pilot program funded by Hong Kong's service foundations, allowed Ng to be carried up 40 stairs.
The pilot project allows people in need to rent the HK $80,000($10,190) stair climber for HK $20 for a round trip and HK $10 one way.
The service is free to people who receive the government's comprehensive social security assistance, the old age living allowance or the disability allowance.
The inexpensive rental is a boon to many who are no longer able to navigate the steep hills spread across almost all of Hong Kong.
Many cemeteries are located high on hillsides that lack service elevators or other means of navigation, so a natural barrier stands in the way of many who wish to pay their respects to dead relatives.
Sylvia Cheng, the social worker responsible for taking care of Ng, said the elderly woman is barely able to stand or walk.
She lives alone and is dependent on care services provided by volunteers and social workers in the community.
Sitting in front of her husband's headstone, Ng's hand trembled as she laid flowers on the grave. "I am delighted," she said.
Mak, an operator (back), lifts a stair climber and helps Ng Lai-kuen (center), 90, to visit her husband's grave on a hillside. KATHY ZHANG/CHINA DAILY
Virtual prisoners
The pilot program helps seniors and disabled people who are unable to navigate narrow staircases and have become virtual prisoners in their own homes.
Ho Wai-ching, an 83-year-old wheelchair user, has been isolated at home after she had a stroke more than seven years ago and then injured herself in a fall.
The stairs between her building's lobby and the front door have even prevented her from going outside to enjoy the sunshine and fresh air.
She has only left her home two or three times a year for medical checkups and emergencies.
"Carrying her to exit and enter the building is a big project," said Lau Shun-yee, Ho's husband, noting that three to five adults were required to help carry the senior and her wheelchair up and down stairs.
The stair climber pilot project has made a big change for Ho. She can now get out of her apartment in about five minutes, whereas in the past it took 15 minutes to get her down 10 stairs and out of the door. Only one person is needed to operate the stair climber.
"It is so convenient that she is able to go out once a week, even some - times for family gatherings in restaurants," Lau said.
Hong Kong has more than 10,000 tenement buildings like the one in which Ho lives, but few have elevators, which makes it extremely difficult for seniors to get around.
Stair climbers can save the day when elevators stop working due to breakdowns or even a Signal 8 typhoon.
Emily Leung Hoi-yan, chief officer (Elderly Service) of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service - the institution in charge of coordination works for the pilot project - has noticed significant changes since the stair climbers became available.
"The program allows the seniors to become more engaged in social activities and outdoor events," she said. "They are shining again."
Buy or rent?
Stair climbers have been on the market for several years. Affordability is a significant consideration as they range in price from HK $80,000 to HK $100,000. That's expensive for a facility that is typically only used once or twice a week.
"Few families choose to buy a stair climber after a look at the product's cost efficiency," Leung said.
A list issued by the Hong Kong government shows that most products for elderly and rehabilitation use cost upward of HK $30,000 and can run as high as HK $285,000. The list covers 64 appliances approved for procurement, rental or trial usage.
The stair climber and most other therapeutic devices present an extended learning curve for seniors and their caregivers to get to grips with operating them.
"The rental service pilot program helps to address users' concerns on the cost efficiency of the product," Leung said.
Under the program, the Hong Kong Council of Social Service and four NGOs - Caritas Hong Kong, Hong Kong Christian Service, Evangelical Lutheran Church Social Service Hong Kong and St. James' Settlement - have purchased 10 stair climbers for rental purposes.
The rental service, rolled out in April last year, is in great demand.
At the start, services were provided in just four areas - Sham Shui Po, Yuen Long, Tuen Mun and Central and Western District - which have a lot of old buildings that don't have lifts, Leung said.
After the project proved extremely popular, the social service council decided to extend it citywide to serve more people.
So far, the 10 stair climbers have served more than 7,000 people - seven times higher than the social service council's original estimate of 1,000.
The pilot project, which was intended to run from April last year to March, has been extended until this month, and the social service council is seeking further funding.
Looking forward, the council proposes working with hospitals or other institutions to initiate similar pilot rental projects by the end of the year. Chua Hoi-wai, the council's CEO, said one plan is to include electric beds in the rental program.
Employee shortfall
The only problem is that the pilot project lacks human resources.
A trained operator accompanies the device on every rental to ensure user safety. Each operator receives 48 hours of training before they gain their certificate of competence.
There is a threshold for stair climber operators because the work is a "test of both strength and patience", said Mak, an operator with Caritas Hong Kong.
The operators not only need to be strong enough to manage a stair climber while an adult is using it, but they also must be able to navigate the device up and down narrow staircases.
One time, Mak had to assist a client down eight flights of stairs. "After that, my arms were numb and sore," he said.
Acknowledging that operating a stair climber is hard work, Leung said she hoped "more young people would be welcomed into the project to make their contribution to society".
She also hopes the government will provide more manpower and the funding to purchase more equipment.
The government has begun addressing the issue.
Lam Ching-choi, chairman of the Elderly Commission, which was founded by the Hong Kong government to advise on policies relating to seniors, said authorities are considering allowing residents to use government-issued community care vouchers to pay for the rentals.
Eligible seniors already have access to rehabilitation exercise programs and nursing and personal care through the vouchers, and services are available at community centers or homes.
The city government also intends to make other high-tech devices available for rental, and Lam predicts that the expanded program will bring a significant improvement in seniors' quality of life.
