Health Status of Elderly in Hong Kong Sheltered Housing

Abstract

AMULTIDIMENSIONAL assessment including socioeconomic, functional, physical, mental, and dietary status of the elderly living in shel tered housing was undertaken, in order to formulate a policy to provide adequate primary health care aimed at improving the quality of life. Method of assessment consisted of questionnaires, physical examination, urine testing, anthropometric measurements, respirat ory function and blood tests. Four hundred and twenty- eight (96%) of the residents, all aged 60 and above, were interviewed. Improvement in the following areas were considered desirable:

(1) Although sheltered housing with adequate health care support is a good arrangement for elderly with low income without relatives, adequate living space is necessary to avoid conflict among tenants;

(2) Low cost or free health care services should be made more available to the elderly. The health visitor has an important role to play in ensuring that chronic diseases continued to be treated and in supervising such treatment;

(3) Regular supervision of those with impaired mental function, and visits at intervals for those who are depressed should be arranged;

(4) Dietary advice on increasing the consumption of calcium — containing foods and vitamin B com plex supplementation should be considered.