Workshop on Caring for the Elderly – Prevention of Elderly Suicide

In order to facilitate working carers of the elderly in balancing their work and caring responsibilities, a series of workshops on elderly care, which is sponsored by the Community Chest of Hong Kong, have been organised by HKCSS. The eighth workshop namely u0022Prevention of Elderly Suicideu0022 was successfully held on 2 November 2012, with the guest speaker Mr Justin Leung, Registered Social Worker of Suicide Prevention Services, to share his insights with employees of Caring Companies.

The causes of elderly suicide include chronic illness, death of spouse or relatives, loneliness, family issues, mental illness, losing of original roles and personal values e.g. getting retired and children grown up, etc. Thus, providing sufficient social support and extending social network to elders, like regular visits by volunteers to show care, respect and listen persistently to them, may be able to release their negative emotions and regain positive mindset again.

The speaker, Mr Justin Leung analyzed the misunderstandings and truth of elderly suicide with participants.

The speaker, Mr Justin Leung analyzed the misunderstandings and truth of elderly suicide with participants.