Multi-disciplinary Outreaching Support Team for the Elderly (Kowloon West Cluster)

Introduction

In February 2019, the Social Welfare Department launched a four-year Pilot Scheme on Multi-disciplinary Outreaching Support Teams for the Elderly. The pilot scheme has been regularised since 15 February 2023 and renamed as Multi-disciplinary Outreaching Support Team for the Elderly (Kowloon West). 

From the launching of pilot scheme to the transition to support team, HKCS continues to provide outreaching physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and social activities to the residents of private Residential Homes for the Elderly (RCHEs) located in Kowloon West (Shamshuipo) District. We also provide speech therapy for residents of contract RCHEs (including Day Care Units (DCUs) attached to contract RCHEs) as well as self-financing RCHEs and self-financing Nursing Homes (NHs) in the district.

Service Objectives

With "continuing care" and "care in the community" as our rationale, and "people-centered" as our goals, we support the social and rehabilitation needs of elders through a multidisciplinary outreach service to improve the quality and promote the dignity of life for the elderly. 

Service Target

1. Residents of private RCHEs in Shumshuipo: physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and social linkage service.
2. Carers and staff of private RCHEs in Shumshuipo: consultation and training.
3. Residents or service users of contract RCHEs (including the DCUs attached to contract RCHEs) and self-financing RCHEs and self-financing NHs in Shamshuipo: speech therapy service. 
4. Carers and staff of contract RCHEs (including the DCUs attached to contract RCHEs) and self-financy RCHEs and self-financing NHs in Shumshuipo: consultation and training by speech therapist.

Service Content

Physiotherapy Service

Registered physiotherapist provides clinical assessments, rehabilitation trainings and periodic reviews to residents and consultation and training to carers and staff so as to enhance elders’ mobility.

Occupational Therapy Service

Registered occupational therapist provides clinical assessments, rehabilitation trainings and periodic reviews to residents and consultation and training to carers and staff so as to enhance elders’ self-care and cognitive ability. 

Speech Therapy Service 

Qualified speech therapist provides clinical assessments, rehabilitation trainings and periodic reviews to residents and consultation and training to carers and staff so as to enhance elders’ communication and swallowing ability.

Social Activities

Registered social worker arranges social activities and links up volunteers to promote residents’ connection with community and to enrich their social life.

Fee

Free of charge

Application

• Residents of private Residential Homes for the Elderly (RCHEs) located in Kowloon West (Shamshuipo) District, and / or their family members may call the team during office hours to apply for physiotherapy service, occupational therapy service, speech therapy service and social activities. The team will enroll the residents upon receiving calls. 
• Residents of contract RCHEs (including Day Care Units (DCUs) attached to contract RCHEs) , self-financing RCHEs and self-financing Nursing Homes (NHs) located in Kowloon West (Shamshuipo) District and / or their family members may call the team during office hours to apply for speech therapy service. The team will enroll the residents upon receiving calls.
• Responsible person of related RCHEs/ DCUs/NHs and professional teams may send in the referral form after obtaining consent from the residents and/or their family members. The team will confirm recipient of referral within 3 working days. 

Withdrawal

• Residents or service users who consider withdrawing from our service, please notify the team 3 working days in advance for making proper arrangement.
• Our professional team will discuss the discharge plan with the residents and/ or their family members when our professional staff confirm the service users are no longer in need with our services after assessment.

Service Hours

Mondays to Fridays	8:30a.m. - 5:30p.m.
Saturdays, Sundays & Public Holidays	Closed