“Benevolence Lights Up My Later Life” - An Education System Project in tackling problems related to an ag e ing society, organized by Kiang Wu Nursing College of Macau (KWNC), co-organized by Macao Federation of Trade Unions (FAOM), Macau Alzheimer's Disease Association (MADA) and General Union of Neighbours Association of Macau (UGAMM), recently held the 3 rd caregiver training workshop at the Taipa Office of FAOM. The workshop named “Strategy for Activating Cerebrum: Alzheimer's Disease Exercising Tips” was given by Dr. Tam Ian Kit, Neurologist of Kiang Wu Hospital and member of MADA. The workshop aimed at allowing participants to learn how to evaluate, plan, implement and review the various kinds of activities offered to Alzheimer's disease patients who live in nursing homes or community centres. The activities include some simple exercises in daily life that can help the elderly activate their cerebrum and reduce the risk of suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Ms Ma Pui Wan, Vice-Chairman of MADA and Head of Cheng I Elderly Integrated Service Centre of UGAAM, was also invited to participate in the workshop as workgroup instructor.

Dr. Tam expresses that the issue of the ageing population in Macao is gradually getting severe. Family members of Alzheimer's disease patients need to handle their own work as well as to give care to the patient in the family, they therefore bear a heavy burden both physically and mentally. Dr. Tam believes that family caregivers should learn more about the disease and encourage the elderly in the family to join community activities more often. They may also deploy Montessori activities to help patients maintain or elevate the skills of carrying out daily activities. In the workshop, Dr. Tam shared some video clips to introduce the initial symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, and convey the importance of recognizing the disease at an early stage and offering support to the patients. In the session “Activity Equals Care”, Dr. Tam introduced several simple exercises including photo memory training, logic and imagination training, sensory stimulation training and number calculation training, and asked participants to take part in the games so as to allow them to use the training immediately. In addition, Dr. Tam invited participants to share about what kind of sport they often do and some participants on the spot demonstrated how to play Tai Chi. On that day, all participants were enthusiastic in taking part in the activities and the workshop was held under a joyful and harmonious atmosphere.

Further to the workshop,“Benevolence Lights Up My Later Life”will hold the 4 th public lecture named “Keep ing Our Brain Functioning Slows Down Ageing: Brain Refreshing and Wisdom Strengthening Activity” on 13 October 2012 (Saturday) at 2:30pm at Mong-Ha Elderly Centre of FAOM. The lecture will be delivered by Dr. Pun Cam Ieng, Vice-Chairman of MADA and specialist of Health Bureau of Macao. Interested parties are welcome to join the lecture. For enquiries, please contact Ms. Lo on 28317832 during office hours. Moreover, KWNC has developed a website platform to introduce “Benevolence Lights Up My Later Life” and its project 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/ .