Most elderly people would like to spend the rest of their lives at home, yet home accidents are common among them. Age-related deterioration could be a reason making elderly more prone to home accidents, if the existing home design fails to meet the needs of elderly. In fact, the risk of accidents can be reduced through professional assessment and the modification of existing home environment.
The Elderly Resources Centre (ERC), the first of its kind in Hong Kong, was set up by the Hong Kong Housing Society in 2005. Through education, health screening, professional consultation and research by Occupational Therapist and Social Worker, ERC aims to promote the concept of “age-friendly home” so that “ageing in place” can be achieved.
ERC set up Mind-friendly Home Exploration Centre in late 2017, first of its kind in Hong Kong, to show applications on how to adopt a friendly home design for people with dementia, so as to support care-givers and facilitate elderly with dementia to live happily and independently.