To News Editor
For immediate release 29th October 2010
10th Anniversary of Jockey Club Centre for Positive Ageing
cum the Announcement of the New Chinese Name ofDementia
The Jockey Club Centre for Positive Ageingwas inaugurated in June 2000. On the 6th of October, 2010, the 10th Anniversary of Jockey Club Centre for Positive Ageing and “Changing the Way You See Dementia – Renaming Competition” Prize Giving Ceremony was heldat Shatin Hospital Soccer Pitch.Guests from the medical social welfare sectors will be invited to the event, including Mr T Brian Stevenson, SBS, JP, Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Prof Jack Cheng, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the Chinese University of Hong Kong,Dr Leong Che-hung, GBM, GBS, JP, Chairman of Elderly Commission and Ms Sandra Lee, JP, Permanent Secretary for Food and Health. Nobel Laureate for PhysicsProf Charles Kao and Mrs Gwen Kao were also invited to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of JCCPA.
JCCPA is the first specialized dementia care centre in Hong Kong. It strives to enhance public awareness of dementia and promote brain health. “Besides JCCPA, an innovation multi-year project called CADENZA: A Jockey Club Initiative for Seniors was initiated to raise Hong Kong's elderly care to a new level. I sincerely hope that the Hong Kong Government can share the same vision with us” said Mr T Brian Stevenson, Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club.
Prof Kao and Mrs Kao, representing service users and caregivers, showed their appreciation to The Jockey Club by presenting souvenir to Mr. Stevenson. To celebrate the 10th Anniversary of JCCPA, “Changing the Way You See Dementia – Renaming Competition” in Chinese was held from April. Followed by the guests’ speeches, it was the announcement of the“Renaming Competition” result. The Champion isLuk Tsz Ting from Si Yuan School of the Precious Blood by the name “腦退化症”, meaning “the deterioration of the brain”. According to Mr Luk, he was inspired by a video about a granny who forgot her way home, for which he recalled his grandpa who once got lost too. He thought that the original Chinese name was not an appropriate name at all, thus created the new name.
“The population in Hong Kong is on an ageing trend now. Service and facility for elderly is under serious shortage nowadays and there is not enough day care centre specialized for dementia patients. People with dementia have to wait for 6 to 9 months to use the services. Thus the support from the government and the community is most important for the development of service for peoplewith dementia. The renaming competition by JCCPA, with “腦退化症”, meaning “the deterioration of the brain”, being the new name, provides a good opportunity for the public to have a positive view towards the disease. We hope that the social stigma attached can be eradicated by having a suitable, positive, practical and creative name.” saidProf Timothy Kwok, Director of JCCPA and one of the judges of the competition.
About the Jockey Club Centre for Positive Ageing
The Jockey Club Centre for Positive Ageing is a local organization that mainly focuses on promoting the integrated services of dementia. Since 2000, the organization provide day care service, short-term accommodation, training and professional assessment. These one-stop services aim to relieve the physical and mental pressure of the family caregivers. At the same time, to improve quality of life of the elderly as well as, maintain or improve the functional independence through provision of an enriched environment, flexible programming and choice of activities. For more details, please visit
About Dementia
Dementia is an illness that entails the loss of cognitive ability. In dementia, the earliest and most prominent feature is usually memory loss, resulting in forgetfulness. Other symptoms include difficulties with language, getting lost, disorientation, inability to cope with daily activities and physical care, mood changes and behavioural problems. There are now at least seventy thousands of people suffering from dementia in Hong Kong. Rates of dementia increase with ageing. Although patients with this disease are mostly elderly, people under 65-year-old may also be suffering from dementia. With the ageing of the population, it is not surprising that more people will suffer from dementia in Hong Kong.
Supporting organizations:
Department of HealthHospital Authority
Elderly Commission
Equal Opportunities Commission
Hong Kong Housing Society
CUHK Faculty of Medicine
CUHK Faculty of Social Work
HKU Sau Po Centre on Ageing
HKU Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine
Hong KongShueYanUniversity
Dept of Social Work
EvangelicalLutheranChurch Social Service of Hong Kong
Hong Kong Association of Gerontology
Hong Kong Council Social Service
Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council
Senior Citizen Home Safety Association
St James’ Settlement Kin Chi Dementia Care Support
The Hong Kong Society For Rehabilitation
Tung Wah Group of Hospitals
Media sponsors:
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Released by: Seedland International Limited
On Behalf of Jockey Club Centre for Positive Ageing
Enquiries: Training and Marketing Manager Miss Eunice Hui at 2636-6323
Press enquiries:Miss Jackie Liu at 9197-6791 / 3583-3100
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