“Benevolence Lights Up My Later Life” - An Education System Project in tackling problems related to an ag e ing society, organized by the Kiang Wu Nursing College of Macau (KWNC), held a Completion Ceremony for the Online Self-studying Programme , which was offered to professionals in the social welfare field. The Ceremony was held on 14 July 2012 at the Occupation Referral Services Section of Macao Federation of Trade Unions (FAOM). Guests invited to the Ceremony included Sub-Director of the Health Bureau Chan Wai Sin, Acting Head of the Elderly Service Division of the Social Welfare Bureau Lo Sok Ha, Vice-Chairman of Board of Directors of FAOM Leong Wai Fong, Vice-Chairman of Board of Directors of General Union of Neighbours Association of Macau (UGAMM) Ao Ka Fai, President of Macau Alzheimer's Disease Association (MADA) Huen Wing Ming, Vice-Chairman of Board of Directors and Secretary-General of Kiang Wu Charitable Association Ung Pui Kun, President of KWNC Van Iat Kio, Associate Professor of KWNC Zeng Wen and President of Foshan Dementia Caring Association Tam Ka Koi.

In his speech, Associate Professor of KWNC Zeng Wen sa ys that after one year's hard work, and through its pilot scheme , “Benevolence Lights Up My Later Life” ha s arranged six public lectures and four caregiver training workshops. More than 500 participants ha ve attended these lectures and workshops and they ha ve given high praise on these activities. In addition, more than 2,300 people ha ve used the Project's specifically-designed website , which has made great social effects in the community. Moreover, the clinical practice and advanced training scheme ha s sent delegations to London, Australia, Hong Kong and Taiwan to participa te in academic trainings. These trainings ha ve deepened the Project's cooperation with dementia care organizations of the world and the neighbouring countries, and allowed the Project to tackle dementia issues together with other organizations. The trainings ha ve also laid a sound foundation for the Project to establish memory clinic and set up Alzheimer's disease service hotline and day-time activity centre through cooperating with Macao's social welfare services organizations in the future. Furthermore, through the pilot scheme , we have completed two research projects, namely, “Investigating Community-dwelling Older Persons with Dementia in Macau” and “Burden of Informal Care-giving in Dementia”.

Professor Zeng also mentions that the Online Self-studying Programme aims at introducing the definition, diagnosis and common symptoms of Alzheimer's disease to the professionals of the social welfare field. The Programme also focuses on investigating the ways of taking care of dementia patients with scientific methods. Throughout the Programme, students attend workshops and lectures o n different specific topics, such as consultation on Alzheimer's disease cases, patients' self care and Thanatology. Nearly 200 students enroll in these workshops and lectures, including professionals from different areas - doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, psychological counsellors and social workers. S tudents also include professionals of similar fields who come from Guangzhou and Taiwan, showing that the professionals have enthusiastic needs for Alzheimer's disease caring trainings. Students are required to complete the online courses within 11 weeks, attend workshops of special topics, take part in the online examinations and write academic theses. Eventually, 115 students pass the examinations and are granted certificates. Of the excellent theses, five are written by doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and social workers.

The Programme Completion Ceremony was followed by a public lecture “When Parents, Family Members or Friends Suffer from Alzheimer's Disease” given by Director of the Seniors Academy of the Macao Polytechnic Institute (IPM) and Board Member of MADA Dr. Lam Wan Mei. The lecture r discussed with the participants the disease's symptoms, ways of caring the patients, resources provided by the community and the methods for caregivers to relief their own stress. By attending this lecture, participants could enhance their caring skills for Alzheimer's disease patients. Dr. Lam also suggested that patients' family members may try to obtain more information and news about Alzheimer's disease, join relevant associations, learn about their own and other family members' capability and work allocation as caregivers, and maintain certain social activities, so as to enhance their living standard as caregivers. On that day, the lecture hosted more than 90 participants under a harmonious atmosphere. Moreover, a website platform of the “Benevolence Lights Up My Later Life” has been developed to introduce the Project and its features, provide information about the current situation of ageing and Alzheimer's disease in Macao and around the world, lectures and workshops, prize quiz, etc. For more details, please browse the website http://www.kwnc.edu.mo/baba/.