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An exhibition entitled "Journey for Active Minds: Jockey Club Museum Programme for the Elderly" will be held at the Hong Kong Museum of History from tomorrow (November 4) until November 23. It is the first museum programme in Hong Kong tailor-made for the elderly and people with Alzheimer's disease (broadly known as people with dementia). The exhibition will showcase the artworks of the participants and demonstrate their joy and experience in taking part in the project, thus enhancing public understanding of the disease and highlighting the programme's benefits for the patients.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the exhibition today (November 3), the Under Secretary for Home Affairs, Ms Florence Hui, said that the programme offers an opportunity for the elderly and Alzheimer's patients to share their experiences and interact with their caregivers.
In tandem with the permanent and thematic exhibitions at the Hong Kong Museum of History, the programme includes special guided tours, workshops and outreach activities. The intellectual stimulation involved in the sharing of memories and interactive activities during the programme help to slow down the decline in cognitive ability of the elderly and Alzheimer's patients, as well as fostering their interest in Hong Kong's history, art and cultural heritage, and giving them a positive sense of community involvement.
A research report has been published in connection with the exhibition on the impact and effectiveness of the project on elderly and Alzheimer's patients, as well as to assess how their quality of life has been enhanced through participation in the museum programme.
The programme was organised by the Hong Kong Museum of History in collaboration with the Art in Hospital, and is solely sponsored by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. Since its launch in March 2014, over 200 sessions have been organised under the museum programme, serving more than 4,500 elderly and Alzheimer's patients.
Other officiating guests at the ceremony included the Executive Director, Charities and Community of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mr Cheung Leong; the Chairman of the Elderly Commission, Professor Alfred Chan; the Chairman of Art in Hospital, Professor Oscar Ho; and the Museum Director of the Hong Kong Museum of History, Ms Belinda Wong.
The Hong Kong Museum of History is located at 100 Chatham Road South, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon.
Admission to the exhibition is free. For details of the exhibition, please visit the website at hk.history.museum, or call 2724 9082.
Ends/Tuesday, November 3, 2015
Issued at HKT 15:20
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