According to a study, about 10% of the elderly population in Hong Kong have depressive symptoms. Factors such as stress, health problems and a lack of social engagement usually contribute to the vulnerability of older people and cause higher risks of elderly depression or other major illness. In response to this concern, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust approved over HK$366 million to initiate the “JC JoyAge: Jockey Club Holistic Support Project for Elderly Mental Wellness” (JC JoyAge). Launched in 2016, the project aims to tackle the social problem of elderly depression, enhance capacity of professional and non-professional manpower as well as raising public awareness of elderly mental health.

Through cross-sectoral collaboration, JC JoyAge provides a community-based supporting network for our senior citizens to enhance their resiliency in facing the challenges of ageing. The service model bridged the District Elderly Community Centre (“DECC”) and Integrated Community Centre for Mental Wellness (“ICCMW”) to establish a collaborative and integrated service model to render standardised prevention and timely intervention services for those depressed elderly according to their level of risks and symptoms severity, etc.

Project partners include The University of Hong Kong and 14 local NGOs operating DECC and/or ICCMW across the territory. The Project will be implemented to 18 districts in two phases. It is anticipated that a viable service model will be developed to provide holistic support for vulnerable and depressed elderly.

To learn more about the project, please visit www.jcjoyage.hk.