IAM expands care network as aging population pressures increase

[Photo: Lynzy Valles]

The local government is expanding support for caregivers and older residents after officials said a citywide assessment found more than 1,500 seniors with unusual emotional symptoms, including more than 270 high-risk cases that were followed up on immediately.

The Health Bureau (SSM) and the Social Welfare Bureau (IAS) said during yesterday’s TDM Forum that they are working closely to identify residents who have not yet been reached. Officials also said people can use a mental health self-check through the Macao One Account platform, which will link users with support services if their scores indicate concern.

Authorities described a broader push to strengthen community care for an aging population. IAS Director Hon Wai said the government is coordinating with social service groups to expand day care, respite care, caregiver training, and emotional counseling. He said the goal is to ease the strain on families and encourage people to seek help before problems become crises.

Officials noted that Macau currently has 16 elderly day centers offering caregiver support, along with four rehabilitation institutions for people with disabilities that also provide related services. Those facilities serve an average of 16,000 people a year.

Plans are also moving ahead in the city’s new A Zone, where one elderly day care center and one integrated disability service facility are already operating. Authorities said three new residential homes are being planned there, with about 1,100 beds expected.

Health officials also said the first community outpatient clinic in the northern district is operating smoothly and helping divert non-urgent patients from public health centers. Similar clinics may later be added to the peninsula and Taipa.

The measures reflect growing pressure on families as more residents take on long-term care duties at home, often while balancing work and personal responsibilities. Officials said the government will continue reviewing services as needs change.

Flu accounts for majority of reportable disease cases in June

The Health Bureau (SSM) recorded 2,755 cases of mandatory reportable diseases in June, with influenza accounting for the majority of infections, according to the latest data.

Influenza was the most common reported disease during the month, with 2,154 cases, followed by hand, foot and mouth disease with 454 cases and tuberculosis with 33 cases.

The figures showed that hand, foot and mouth disease cases increased by about 1.9 times year-on-year and rose 1.3 times compared with May. Norovirus infections also increased, with 13 cases reported, representing a year-on-year rise of about 2.3 times and a monthly increase of about 1.2 times.

Scarlet fever cases totaled 31 in June, down about 46% year-on-year but up about 72% from the previous month.

No cases of dengue fever or chikungunya fever were reported during the month.