Zonta Club of Hong Kong East sponsored The Neighbourhood Advice-Action Council to campaign the prevention of Sarcopenia and supported 180 elders in the area of Ap Lei Chau during a 3-month period in collaboration with Lei Tung Neighbourhood Elderly Centre. Sarcopenia refers to the muscle loss that occurs with aging and/or immobility; that is to say there would be degenerative loss of skeletal muscle mass, quality and strength progresses at a rate of 10-15% every 10 years on average for every one of us. Without preventive exercises and diet, Sarcopenia may cause strength reduction, functional decline, and increased the risk of falling, resulting in major inconvenience and safety concerns in elders’ everyday life. This project offers in-person care and mental support to the beneficiaries, focusing on sustainable daily workout routine and healthy lifestyle to prevent Sarcopenia.
Over 20 members of Zonta Club of Hong Kong East attended the sharing ceremony held at the Elderly Centre and actively visited those beneficiaries who were unable to attend the event and delivered goodie bags as a gesture of care and for promoting awareness of Sarcopenia. During those invaluable encounters with the beneficiaries, Zontians were deeply touched by the heartwarming personal stories shared by the elders. We are also grateful for the dedication and efforts of the staff and volunteers of the NGO to ensure the success of this project.
Zonta Club of Hong Kong East will continue with the campaign in prevention of Sarcopenia, aiming to promote the well-being and healthy lifestyle of elders and benefit more needy!
崇德日 – 再遇良「肌」支援行動
為提升社會大眾對肌少症的認識及其對長者身體及心理的影響，香港東區崇德社贊助鄰舍輔導會進行『再遇良「肌」支援行動』，服務180名80歲或以上的長(包括長者及長者義工)。我們身體的肌肉會因為老化開始逐漸流失，肌肉每10年遞減10~15％。若缺乏適量當運動，更可能加快肌肉的流失，逐漸演變成「肌少症」，因而引致走路遲緩、握力下降、行動吃力、體重減輕、反覆跌倒，跌倒而情況嚴重者可能會需要依賴輪椅生活，大大影響生活質素。此項計劃旨在幫助長者們認識對肌肉流失的重要性，加強他們對肌少症的關注，並教導他們透過簡單運動和注意日常飲食，減低肌肉的流失的機會。除此以外，這服務亦同步給與長者經濟及實質的支援和協助，讓長者感到社會對他們的愛與關懷。
20多名香港東區崇德社會員於近期參與此計劃的分享禮，同時亦分隊探訪了20多位因行動不便的獨居或雙老家庭的老友記，會員不但藉此更深`入解肌少症對長者日常生活的影響，更親身送上慰問和關懷。老友記們的分享令香港東區崇德的會員深受感動，亦多謝一班長者義工們分擔工作和香港鴨利洲鄰舍輔導會利東鄰里康齡中心員工的細心安排，令整個活動圓滿完成。
香港東區崇德社將繼續推動此服務計劃，為預防肌少症及長者加油！