Latest news with #HealthyAgeing
Malay Mail
29-05-2025
- Health
- Malay Mail
PolyU School of Nursing hosts Healthy Ageing Conference 2025, experts from 15 countries and regions join forces to promote healthy ageing
As a WHO Collaborating Centre for Community Health Service, the School of Nursing at PolyU, in collaboration with the PolyU RISA, is hosting the Healthy Ageing Conference 2025. Distinguished guests presided over the inaugural ceremony, including Dr Libby LEE, the Acting Secretary for Health of the Government of HKSAR (centre); Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU (6th from the right); Ms Xinjie QI, Second Class Counsel (Deputy Director-General Level) of the Department of Ageing and Health, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China (6th from the left); Dr Ching-choi LAM, Member of Executive Council of HKSAR Government and Chief Executive Officer of Haven of Hope Christian Service (5th from the right); Dr Hiromasa OKAYASU, Director of the Division of Healthy Environments and Populations at the WHO WPRO (5th from the left); Prof. Kar-kan LING, Interim Vice President (Campus Development and Facilities) of PolyU (4th from the right); Dr Raymond HO, Assistant Director (Elderly Health) of the Department of Health of HKSAR (4th from the left); Prof. Angela LEUNG, Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Community Health Services HKSAR (3rd from the right); Prof. David SHUM, Dean of Faculty of Health and Social Sciences of PolyU (3rd from the left); Prof. ZHENG Yongping, Henry G. Leong Professor in Biomedical Engineering, Chair Professor of Biomedical Engineering of the Department of Biomedical Engineering, and Director of RISA of PolyU (2nd from the right); Prof. Janelle YORKE, Chair Professor of Nursing and Head of School, School of Nursing of PolyU (2nd from the left); Prof. Jed MONTAYRE, Associate Head (Strategy) and Associate Professor, School of Nursing of PolyU (1st from the right); and Prof. Ivy ZHAO, Assistant Professor of School of Nursing, and Deputy Director of WHO Collaborating Centre for Community Health Services of PolyU (1st from the left). Inclusion of Three Essential Factors in Ageing: In addition to evaluating six intrinsic capacities—cognition, mobility, nutrition, vision, hearing, and mental health—ICOPE 2.0 now incorporates "urinary incontinence management", "social care and support", "carer support" and vaccination advocacy, thus providing a more accurate representation of older adults' health status and quality of life. Introduction of Three Filter Questions: To streamline the assessment process for cognitive, hearing, and vision capabilities, a rapid screening system has been established. If an older adult responds "yes" to any of these questions, they will be referred directly for a comprehensive evaluation. Provision of Immediate Recommendations and Interventions: Following the completion of the ICOPE 2.0 assessment, the responsible assessor is equipped to offer tailored health advice and community support based on the individual needs of the older adult. The WHO Collaborating Centre for Community Health Services has developed comprehensive online and offline educational materials for ICOPE 2.0, with a training video premiered at the conference. HONG KONG SAR- Media OutReach Newswire - 29 May 2025 - The world is facing the challenge of an ageing population, making the maintenance of health and quality of life for the elderly an urgent issue. As a World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Community Health Service, the School of Nursing at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), in collaboration with the PolyU Research Institute of Smart Ageing (RISA), is hosting the Healthy Ageing Conference 2025 from 29 – 30 May. The conference aims to promote healthy ageing efforts in the Western Pacific region and beyond, bringing together over 200 experts from 15 countries and regions., stated that the conference provides a platform for policymakers, the healthcare industry, academics, and stakeholders to jointly promote healthy ageing. He said, "With PolyU's extensive experience in the education of healthcare professionals, we have submitted a forward-looking and innovative proposal to the Government for the establishment of Hong Kong's third medical school, aiming to leverage the University's robust capabilities in medical science, medicine and engineering integration, and AI-driven medicine to nurture a new generation of medical doctors who are socially responsible and technologically proficient.", stated in her speech that China and the WHO have conducted a series of collaborations on integrated medical and elderly care, the establishment of age-friendly medical institutions, and the development of geriatric medicine, achieving positive results. She expressed willingness to strengthen exchanges with other countries and share innovative experiences. She also emphasised that advancing the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area is a national strategy, and the National Health Commission will continue to enhance exchanges and cooperation with Hong Kong and Macao in areas such as healthy ageing., stated that the HKSAR Government is actively reforming the healthcare system, including enhancing the primary healthcare services. As outlined in the Primary Healthcare Blueprint released in December 2022, the Government's strategy adopts a prevention-focused, community-based approach. It aims at supporting and equipping people to lead a healthy life in the community, thereby improving the overall health status of the population. This conference serves as a valuable platform for knowledge exchange across healthcare disciplines, experience sharing, partnership building, as well as innovative solutions exploration. It definitely will contribute to the enhancement of the wellbeing of older persons in Hong Kong and beyond., reaffirmed that the conference offered an exceptional platform for policymakers, stakeholders, practitioners, researchers, and academics to come together and address the pressing trends and challenges related to population ageing in the region. He stated, "PolyU's School of Nursing made significant efforts to facilitate a wide range of discussions, encompassing research and practical ideas, all with the aim of enhancing healthy ageing."In 2019, WHO introduced the Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE) framework, transitioning from a disease-centred approach to one that assesses the intrinsic capacities of older adults—encompassing both physical and mental abilities. This comprehensive, person-centred model is designed to identify early signs of decline in intrinsic capacity, enabling timely interventions to mitigate, halt, or reverse frailty and dependence in older individuals. Building on expert feedback and the latest research, WHO has recently launched ICOPE 2.0, featuring the following key enhancements:, remarked, "ICOPE 2.0 enhances the entire assessment and intervention process, facilitating the early identification of older adults in need of support and care. This approach helps to mitigate or slow the decline in quality of life associated with ageing. Additionally, the HKSAR Government has been actively reinforcing support for caregivers in recent years, which aligns seamlessly with the inclusion of caregiver elements in ICOPE 2.0. This underscores the importance of recognising that caring for older adults involves not only the individuals themselves but also the necessity of bolstering support for caregivers, as this is crucial for sustainable solutions."To enhance the understanding of ICOPE 2.0 among healthcare professionals and stakeholders in elder care, the WHO Collaborating Centre for Community Health Services has developed comprehensive online and offline educational materials for ICOPE 2.0, with a training video premiered at the conference. The video not only elucidates the ICOPE 2.0 framework but also demonstrates its application through real-life case studies. Additionally, the conference featured an ICOPE Community Practice Workshop which attracted experts from various countries to explore the updates in the new version, share insights, and discuss community application strategies. This initiative aims to benefit older adults globally and foster cross-regional knowledge sharing and technology promoting the implementation of ICOPE 2.0 in communities, the conference addressed a variety of topics related to healthy ageing, including policies on elderly health, technological innovations, and the latest developments in community care. Key areas of focus encompassed geriatric medicine, mental health, and smart ageing technologies, while also highlighting the latest research findings and practical examples of ageing studies from the Western Pacific Leung envisioned that the conference and resource-sharing initiatives will inspire more community organisations, healthcare professionals, and policymakers to actively promote healthy ageing initiatives. The School of Nursing at PolyU will continue to uphold its leadership role as a WHO Collaborating Centre, driving the development and implementation of innovative solutions for elder health, thereby making a significant contribution to the global goal of achieving healthy #HealthyAgeingConference2025#WorldHealthOrganization#WHO#HealthyAgeing#PolyU#SchoolofNursing#Elderly#ICOPE2.0#WHOCollaboratingCentreforCommunityHealthServices The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About the WHO Collaborating Centre for Community Health Services at the School of Nursing, Hong Kong Polytechnic University Since December 2007, the World Health Organization (WHO) has designated the School of Nursing of Hong Kong Polytechnic University as a WHO Collaborating Centre for Community Health Services (WHO CC). Committed to advancing the WHO's mission, the School actively promotes evidence-based community health services, aiming to enhance health outcomes at local, regional, and global levels. In 2023, the School was redesignated by WHO, with a focus on key indicators related to ageing and health. It is dedicated to promoting and implementing the WHO's Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE) guidelines, while also providing a platform for interdisciplinary collaboration to foster initiatives in healthy ageing. About the Healthy Ageing Conference 2025 The theme of the conference is "Progressing the Healthy Ageing Agenda: Translating and Implementing Healthy Ageing Programmes and Initiatives in Our Communities." Organised by the WHO Collaborating Centre for Community Health Services (WHO CC) at the School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, this event is strongly supported by the Title Sponsor, AIA Hong Kong. The conference aims to unite stakeholders, practitioners, researchers, policymakers, and other relevant individuals from around the globe to collaboratively advance the healthy ageing agenda. By translating and implementing healthy ageing programs and initiatives across the region, the conference aspires to contribute to the United Nations' Decade of Healthy Ageing goals. For more information, please visit the official conference website:
Sydney Morning Herald
16-05-2025
- Health
- Sydney Morning Herald
What does the internet have to do with your wellbeing? Turns out, quite a bit
'Connecting with others isn't just something we enjoy, it's actually something we're wired to need,' says Rachel Tomlinson, a registered psychologist and clinical manager at digital psychology clinic My Mirror. 'Living in groups once kept us safe and today that need for belonging and strong relationships can still shape our mental and physical health.' Our craving for connection may not have changed much, but the way we go about it couldn't be more different. Whether it's via a video call with your niece on her graduation day, or a quick check-in with your favourite online community for advice on an upcoming kitchen renovation, our interactions with others now happen when, where and how it suits us. And it turns out, that's not just convenient, it's also good for our wellbeing. The power of connection Maintaining strong social bonds can reduce stress levels, give us a sense of belonging and improve resilience, says Tomlinson. There may be physical benefits too, including a lower risk of depression and heart disease. 'Face-to-face interactions tend to have the strongest effect, but online connections are also valuable,' Tomlinson adds. 'The important part is connection and the quality of the relationships, not just the method.' While online relationships can sometimes be dismissed as being shallow or inauthentic, Tomlinson says this is untrue. 'Research suggests that virtual connections can be just as supportive, fulfilling and emotionally rich as offline relationships.' Plus at times they can offer pathways to connection that might otherwise not be possible for people who find in-person interactions challenging, whether due to isolation, anxiety or their physical abilities. 'Our ability to communicate with existing people or find new relationships or communities based around shared interests is easier than ever,' Tomlinson notes. Research commissioned by nbn backs this up, with nine out of 10 nbn users saying they've connected online with friends, family or new people in the past two years. Almost half of them report feeling less lonely or isolated thanks to social connection online. Bridging the health gap For Dr Desmond Graham, a geriatrician, chief medical officer at Geriatric Care Australia and host of the Healthy Ageing podcast, online connections have emerged as a vital contributor to the wellbeing of older Australians. 'When we talk about healthy ageing strategies, we talk about five key areas: nutrition, physical activity, mental activity, socialising and management of chronic health conditions,' he says. 'Digital technologies have allowed older people access to all five areas in the comfort of their own home, irrespective of where they live.'
