Yes, but there are no local studies so far exploring carers’ use of social media or other technologies in their care provision.

Social media acts as a channel for disseminating dementia-related information and articles to caregivers. Four dementia-related pages established by local parties are identified on Facebook:

1. Hong Kong Alzheimer’s Disease Association;
2. St. James’ Settlement;
3. Big Silver;
4. Community self-initiated.

Technology also allows caregivers to form virtual groups easily and support each other. It has been commonly observed that caregivers would form group chats via instant messaging tools (e.g., WhatsApp) (Christian Family Service Centre, 2016). And two dementia caregiver groups are identified on Facebook. Moreover, a local NGO, the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council Limited, has developed a mobile application ‘Act of Love. Trace Me’ to search for missing people with dementia and to provide support to their families. Through this application, information of the missing person will be posted on a Facebook page. The application is available for both iOS and Android system.

For more information on the use of GPS tracking and other technologies in dementia care, please refer to Part 7.

References:

Christian Family Service Centre. (2016, 22 January 2016). Corporate Communications – Media Coverage: Primelink Press Con – Wenweipo. Retrieved from https://www.cfsc.org.hk/en/whatsNew/detail/1071