An Introduction
of the HKPGA
The Hong Kong Psychogeriatric Association (HKPGA) was founded in June 1998 by a group of mental health professionals working in the field of psychogeriatrics in Hong Kong. The organisation’s objectives are to:
*Promote, through a multidisciplinary approach, the study and advancement of the science and practice of old age psychiatry, as well as the ancillary sciences and branches of medicine and health care;
*Further public education;
*Contribute to the improvement of mental health care for Hong Kong’s older adults; and
*Collaborate with the relevant local and overseas organisations to achieve these objectives.
The current President is Dr. Siu-wah Li. Immediate past President is Dr. Wah-fat Chan. Other council members are Ms. Anita Wong, Vice President; Mr. David Lai, Honorary Treasurer; and Dr. Chi-leung Lam, Honorary Secretary. The full list of current council members is shown under the section Council Members. We are honoured to have a number of world-renowned experts in psychogeriatrics as our advisors, including Prof. Tom Arie, Prof. CN Chen, Prof. Edmond Chiu, Prof. Jeff Cummings, Prof. E Paykel, Prof. B Reisberg, and Prof. YC Shen.
Membership in the Hong Kong Psychogeriatric Association is open to everyone who is interested in the mental health care of older adults. The organisation currently has more than 300 members, including psychiatrists, geriatricians, nurses, psychologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers, and other specialists.
One regular publication, the HKPGA Newsletter, is published regularly and is distributed to all our members and to other organizations involved in the care of older adults. With contributions from a number of local as well as overseas scholars, the newsletter has become a well-received publication dealing with psychogeriatrics in Hong Kong. In 2001, HKPGA, together with Castle Peak Hospital, compiled our first educational publication: 老年痴呆症完全護理手冊. It was published by the Ming Pao Publications Limited.
The Association established the HKPGA Research Awards in 2000, which aim to encourage and reward fine research projects in old age psychiatry. Three awards will be given each year to the best projects submitted. The prizes will be presented at the organisation’s Annual Scientific Symposium.
The organisation has been actively participated in professional training activities since its establishment. Apart from the Annual Scientific Symposia and Mid-year Scientific Meetings, it also hosted the International Psychogeriatric Association Asia-Pacific Regional Meeting in 2002, and co-hosted the Asia Pacific Regional Conference on Prevention of Elderly Suicide in 2004. Experts from around the world shared with local academics and clinicians on a wide range of topics relevant to old age psychiatry at these meetings.
Over the past few years, HKPGA has set up close network with local and overseas organisations involved in the promotion of mental health of older adults. In 2001-2004, HKPGA carried out the “Joint Project on Prevention of Elderly Suicide” (珍愛生命-預防長者自殺計劃) in collaboration with the Hong Kong Council of Social Service and Social Welfare Department. The project was funded by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust and comprised 3-tier coordinated services, community educational projects, and a Conference on Elderly Suicide Prevention. The 3-tier services provided assistance to those in need, ranging from a hotline service 珍愛生命長者熱線, volunteer visits, early detection by general practitioners, psycho-social interventions by professional counselors to the “Life Clinic” at Prince of Wales Hospital. Meanwhile, around 60 community projects were selected to foster community education on elderly suicide prevention.
The Association held a Joint Meeting with Korean Association for Geriatric Psychiatry in 2002, followed by another Joint Meeting with Korean Association for Geriatric Psychiatry & Japanese Psychogeriatric Association in 2004. We were also invited to host two symposia at the International Psychogeriatric Association Asia-Pacific Regional Meeting in Seoul in 2004, and the Consensus Programme on Improving the Quality of Life for Asian People with Dementia (QoLDEM) focus group meeting in 2005. Meanwhile, HKPGA has established newsletter exchange program with the Faculties of Psychiatry of Old Age of the Royal College of Psychiatrists of the United Kingdom and the Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Psychiatrists. Besides, delegates from HKPGA visited institutes and facilities for elderly in Taipei and Korea in 2001 and 2004 respectively. Fruitful exchange of ideas has been achieved.
For additional information about membership or meetings, please contact Dr. CL Lam (Hon. Secretary), Psychogeriatric Team, Castle Peak Hospital, Tuen Mun, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China. Fax: (852) 2466 1865. Email: info@hkpga.org