The Mental Health Review Report (MHRR) mentions the needs of family carers identified by WHO while including information on dementia and community resources, physical care assistance, training on how to take care of persons with dementia, respite services, emotional support, recognition, and financial assistance (Food and Health Bureau, 2017a, p. 144). Physical care assistance and emotional support are identified as the major support for family carers (Food and Health Bureau, 2017a, p. 169). The Government has provided and have subsidised support for carers, including day and residential respite services, skill training and education, living expenses allowance, and accessible information resources (Food and Health Bureau, 2017a, p. 159). Since family carers usually take care of persons with dementia at the primary role, it is particularly important to help them recognise the signs of illness and provide structured advice along the continuum of care at different stages of dementia. Grieve and bereavement support are also needed in the end-of-life care process (Food and Health Bureau, 2017a, p. 172).

The Elderly Services Programme Plan (ESPP) proposes strategic directions to increase quality of life, age-friendliness, informed choice and timely access to quality services for older people and their family carers (Working Group on Elderly Services Programme Plan, 2017, p. 13).

References:

Food and Health Bureau. (2017a). Mental Health Review Report.  Retrieved from https://www.fhb.gov.hk/download/press_and_publications/otherinfo/180500_mhr/e_mhr_full_report.pdf.

Working Group on Elderly Services Programme Plan, Elderly Commission of Government of Hong Kong SAR,. (2017). Elderly Services Programme Plan. Hong Kong: Elderly Commission of Government HKSAR Retrieved from https://www.elderlycommission.gov.hk/en/download/library/ESPP_Final_Report_Eng.pdf.