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The Hospital Authority launched the "Fall Prevention Community Program" since 2005 with the aim to call for public awareness on falls among the local elderly population. Elders were encouraged to practice "Tai Chi-10" as a means to enhance muscle strength, improve gait and balance in order to reduce incidences of falls. In the coming year, the Hospital Authority will further implement a "Home Screening Program" territory-wide; training volunteers to screen for high fall risk factors in the home environment of community living elders. Early intervention will enable risk factors to be rectified and potential falls to be avoided. It is envisaged that complementary efforts through the two initiatives can significantly reduce fall incidents among elders.
Fall-related injuries has always attracted much concerns. According to a community survey; one in four elders had a history of fall in the past year. Some of the fall cases result in injuries and fractures, may result in permanent disability and even death. Moreover, elders who have had a history of fall tend to participate in less social activities, isolate themselves from others, become emotionally unstable which adversely affected their overall quality of life.
Falls in the elders leading to hospitalization also generate great pressure on the healthcare system. In 2004/05, hospital bed days resulting from falls totalled around to 300,000 days which accounted for 3.8% of the total number of bed days. Fall associated complications requiring acute medical and rehabilitation services can consume over 10 billion dollars per year.
Evidences support that practice of Tai Chi and "Home Screening" are effective in reducing elderly fall risks. According to an US study, the practice of simplified Tai Chi-10 by community living elders can reduce fall risk up to 47.5%. "Tai Chi-10" focuses on problems regarding posture and movement, improve balance and enhance muscle strength. Simplified "Tai Chi-10" is also easy to learn. Furthermore, enhancing knowledge on home safety, improvement on living environment and re-orientation of unsafe behaviours can reduce fall risk up to 20%.
In order to express our heartfelt thanks to all the Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and the Tai Chi Masters who have participated in the past year's program, the Hospital Authority is hosting the Launching and Recognition Ceremony today, inviting the Honorable Dr C H LEONG, Chairman of the Elderly Commission and our Chief Executive of Hospital Authority, Mr Shane SOLOMON to officiate the ceremony and award certificates to all NGOs and Tai Chi Masters as an indication of appreciation to their contributions.
As Mr SOLOMON has said in his speech: "We are extremely honoured to have support and devotion from so many different sectors. This deduction and commitment to the well being of elderly deserves full applause. The huge community network specially formed for this purpose proves that we are not alone. And, we could not have done this without you (community partners)."
Honorable Dr C H LEONG also expressed his incessant support to the said Program: "Having had focused on the key impact of falls, the Hospital Authority had promulgated this innovative and practical program that leverages on collective efforts of the community to arrange and assist elders to learning Tai Chi. The initiative is in alignment with the three policy objectives of the Elderly Commission on providing a sense of security, a sense of belonging and a feeling of health and worthiness to the elderly. Therefore, the Commission will surely join hands with the Hospital Authority and dedicate ourselves to cultivate the awareness of fall prevention and encourage local elders to practice Tai Chi and home safety so that they can enjoy a happy and enriching life in their golden years. Dr LEONG together with other celebrities will serve as "Tai Chi Ambassadors", devoting their time and action to learn Tai Chi and promote the message of preventing falls throughby practice of the Chinese martial art so that more elders shall could benefit from this.
The "Fall Prevention Community Program" was spear-headedly started by the Hospital Authority since April 2005. It targeted to increase awareness of local citizens on fall prevention and encourage elders to participate in the "Tai Chi-10" learning classes. The Program had earned great support from the 18 District Councils, major Tai Chi Associations and serving NGOs. Since its inception, the program had successfully organized about 500 classes of "Tai Chi-10", in which over 3,000 elders had completed the classes organized by more than 100 NGOs and 80 Tai Chi masters. To sustain the culture of learning Tai Chi, NGOs in different districts shall cooperate with Tai Chi Masters to continue recruitment of elders into "Tai Chi-10" classes. Further enquiries on matters related to Tai Chi classes in various districts can be channeled to the hotline 2300 7383 or one may feel free to surfing the website: www.ha.org.hk/falls.
The Hospital Authority and community partners collaborate to organizing this caring for elderly health program It is hoped that more NGOs shall be able to join in to foster a sustainable culture of daily practice of Tai Chi for healthier living among elders.
Ends/Sunday, August 13, 2006
Issued at HKT 18:13
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