Caritas hosts Christmas activities for the elderly

Paul Pun

Caritas Macau held a series of Christmas parties for its eight aged care homes, which accommodate some 700 local senior citizens.

The non-governmental organization held different events for the senior citizens including lunch gatherings and performances.

According to the Secretary-General of Caritas Macau, Paul Pun, the festive season serves as a way to cheer up the senior citizens, particularly those with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Speaking to the Times, Pun commented, “they may not be Catholics but they treasure this opportunity to join Christmas activities. We take this opportunity to make them happy, especially those who are deteriorating due to different illnesses.”

“Some [senior citizens] easily forget [but] Christmas events are a bit easier for them to recall because it’s an event full of happiness,” Pun added.

Although visiting hours of these aged care homes are from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Pun hinted that not many of these residents are being visited by their families on a regular basis.

Thus, Pun stressed that Christmas Day is an opportunity for these family members to gather in the aged care homes.

“[These events] are also an encouragement to family members. Everybody has the opportunity to celebrate but for the elderly homes it’s difficult, because the staff have to divide work amongst themselves since many are on holidays,” Pun explained.

According to the secretary-general, the larger aged care homes, including the House of Mercy Elderly Home, had welcomed performances from Caritas Kindergarten and other private individuals.

St. Francis Xavier Home for the Aged welcomed a group of doctors who offered Christmas presents, and migrant workers who performed singing and dancing numbers.

Aside from the aged care homes, Caritas Macau also held a series of parties to celebrate the festive season for its retired workers and members of the community who are intellectually disabled.

“Our budget has increased because we have more homes and the number of services recipients have [access to] also increased. Some activities were supported by government, and some are from private entities and volunteers,” explained Pun.

According to the Caritas head, the festive season serves as a reminder to think of those in need. “How we can mobilize people to care for others, especially those who are being neglected; and also think of those who are not able to be with us. It’s about sharing our time and lives with others,” he said.  LV