Latest Activities (Chinese Only)

 "The Love Prescription" has been awarded Outstanding Creativity Award in the 2024 HSBC Hong Kong Community Partnership Programme.    Starting from September 2024, we invite young reporters and elderly participants to join hands in a journey that blends smart farming technology and creative arts programmes. Through both in-person and online one-on-one playback theatre, they explore and traverse Hong Kong’s past and present in both physical and virtual spaces. Guided by experienced directors, the young reporters will be trained to document the entire process, capturing moments of reflection on life and death.   We sincerely thank all our partner organizations and mentors. Together, we approach the profound topic of life and death with creativity, understanding it through a lens of imagination and compassion.

The Hong Kong Chinese Christian Churches Union Kwong Yum Care Home (Integrated Aged Care Service) has been honored with the "Elite Award" in the "Change Management Award" category of the HKIHRM HR Excellence Awards 2024/2025 by the Hong Kong Institute of Human Resource Management for our innovation of the Spiritual Care Team. Since its establishment in 2012, HKIHRM HR Excellence Awards has remained aligned with societal changes and industry trends. With a judging panel comprising professionals from various sectors, this award is widely recognized as the "Oscars of Human Resource Management." In response to the shortage of care workers in Hong Kong, we took a bold and innovative step in 2023. We prioritize the holistic well-being and spiritual care of the elderly. By repositioning the traditional Care Worker role as Spiritual Care Worker (SCW), this strategic transformation aims to provide high-quality and innovative elderly care while addressing the shortage of professional caregivers. Through training SCWs in Holistic Care and the Namaste Care model, we ensure that they are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to provide compassionate care while respecting the dignity of the elderly. Additionally, this reform helps elevate the social status of care workers, demonstrating respect for their invaluable contributions as frontline caregivers. This has also attracted young people, women, and professionals to join. We hope to train and inspire more passionate individuals to become Spiritual Care Workers, fostering a community of compassion. If you are interested in collaboration or would like to invite our institution to provide training, please contact us at info@hkcccu.kych.org.hk.

According to data released by the Research Office of the Legislative Council Secretariat, the populationaged 65 and above (i.e., the elderly population) more than doubled to 1.68 million people, representing22.4% of the total population, between 1997 and 2023. There are 79,100 elderly residents in residential careservices, with many terminally ill patients preferring to receive care in familiar surroundings, although manystill pass away in hospitals. Recently, the government announced in the Gazette that starting from June 3,2024, if a resident of a care home is diagnosed with a terminal illness during their lifetime and receivestreatment from a registered doctor within 14 days before passing away, and the death certificate shows anatural cause of death, then the death case does not need to be reported to the Coroner's Court. This newarrangement will make it easier for terminally ill patients residing in care homes to choose to pass away infamiliar surroundings.With the support of the Vera Ruttonjee Desai Charitable Fund, The Hong Kong Chinese ChristianChurches Union Kwong Yum Care Home (Integrated Aged Care Service) established the " Vera RuttonjeeDesai Spiritual End of Life Care Centre" in 2021, provide short-term accommodation services for elderlyterminally ill patients facing economic difficulties. Despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, thecentre has provided services to 504 elderly individuals and their families from 2021 to 2024, totalling13,332 Namaste CareTM services. Since the amendment of the legislation on dying at one's place ofresidence, three elderly individuals have peacefully passed away in their respective nursing homes.Superintendent, The Hong Kong Chinese Christian Churches Union Kwong Yum Care Home(Integrated Aged Care Service),Vennus Ho Yuen-wai, "With the establishment of the " Vera Ruttonjee DesaiSpiritual End of Life Care Centre" in 2021 to address the lack of sufficient resources and facilities in thecommunity to promote end-of-life care, the centre provides high-quality end of life care services in apeaceful late-stage care facility. Recognizing the insufficient knowledge, training, and resources for end of life care in Hong Kong's community/care facilities, we not only train our staff but also have organized sevenpublic lectures (with a total of 940 participants) and provided spiritual care volunteer training to 95 membersof the public. Additionally, we establish connections with palliative care units in hospitals, communityelderly assessment outreach teams, medical social workers, and stakeholders to collaborate and enhanceend-of-life services for the elderly in Hong Kong.Furthermore, we initiate discussions for each elderly individual regarding advance care planning andincrease awareness about advance directives. We also provide bereavement support for family members and post-end-of-life support services for the elderly.”Based on data from the past three years, among the 252 elderly individuals served, the average agewas 82 years old, with an average length of stay of 105 days. 61.4% of the elderly did not have plans toqueue for community/care home services but were required to be discharged from the hospital. Therefore,they applied for services at the "Vera Ruttonjee Desai Spiritual End of Life Care Centre" to receive timelyand comprehensive spiritual end-of-life care services, enabling elderly individuals and their families facingfinancial difficulties to journey together through life's final stretch. Regarding the types of terminal illnesses,digestive system/gastrointestinal cancers accounted for 34.%, respiratory system cancers accounted for19.3%, and genitourinary system cancers accounted for 10.1%.Superintendent Vennus Ho Yuen-wai shared, "Elderly individuals in the late stages experience rapidphysical decline and have to face a new and unfamiliar environment. It is understandable that this can bedaunting for both the elderly and their family caregivers. However, we affirm life and view death as a naturalprocess. We have introduced the 'Namaste CareTM' model, which has been implemented in 12 countries orregions worldwide. This model integrates elements such as quiet comfort, multi-sensory stimulation, and aloving-touch approach to alleviate symptoms and enhance overall quality of life for the elderly. We alsorespect the autonomy and choices of the elderly in our services based on their culture, values, and lifestyle,aiming to uphold their dignity and provide opportunities for personal and spiritual growth amid thechallenges of spiritual end-of-life care. This approach helps elderly individuals and their families cope withillness and the pain of loss."We have invited the Department of Social Work and Social Administration at The University ofHong Kong to conduct research, led by Prof. Amy Y.M. CHOW, Si Yuan Professor Health and SocialWork, the University of Hong Kong, as the project leader, the study aims to understand the impact ofcentre services on the late life of the elderly and caregivers through quantitative and qualitativeassessments, involving interviews with the elderly, family members, and staff. Prof. CHOW pointed outthat, "In quantitative research, it was found that although the elderly receiving end of life care services arein the final stages of life, within 3 months and 6 months after receiving the service, their physical,emotional, and practical distress did not increase. Especially for those who passed away within 6 months,the physical condition of service users remained good while the comparison group deteriorated.Additionally, the depression and anxiety levels of family members using the service significantlydecreased after 3 months and further reduced at the 6-month mark. Caregiver stress also decreased. Inqualitative research, family members shared that 'food' and 'people' are determining factors for the qualityof care."In January 2023, Ms. Grace Li’s father moved into the "Vera Ruttonjee Desai Spiritual End of LifeCare Centre." Mr. Li had prostate cancer that had spread to his bones, causing pain in various parts of hisbody. Due to the challenges of caregiving, he transitioned to the care home. Initially, he struggled to adapt,but after a month of residing in the centre and participating in various activities such as aromatherapymassages, harp therapy, expressive arts therapy, and morning prayers, he found inner peace.Mr. Li passed away in October 2023, and Grace remembers her father's frequent visits to the hospitalbefore his passing. She recalls her father's serene demeanour and comforting smile during his time at thecare home. Despite not showing fear, he peacefully completed his life's journey. The only regret was thatthe dying in place legislation had not been amended at that time, preventing long-term patients like herfather from choosing to pass away in a familiar care home environment. Instead, he had to go through theturmoil of being sent to the hospital in a semi-conscious state, taking two and a half days to pass away.During his final days, the family could only visit him at designated times in the hospital. Grace believes thatif her father could have passed away at the care home, he would have been spared the anxiety of hospitalvisits. The hospital's restrictive care practices caused him distress, leading to confusion and agitation.Reflecting on the importance of spiritual end-of-life care services a year after her father's passing,Grace emphasizes that these services do not replace family caregiving but rather accompany and support it.The centre's staff helped alleviate physical care burdens such as meal preparation and medicationadministration, allowing families to focus on cherishing moments with their loved ones. Emotionalexchanges serve as the best pain reliever and comfort for the elderly. Grace learned to cherish every momentspent together, knowing that these shared memories will be cherished in the future without regrets.Superintendent Vennus Ho Yuen-wai, shared her insights on the recent experiences of elderly peoplepassing away in care homes. She said, "In the past, family caregivers have reported that when elderly peopleare sent to the hospital, they need to be restrained or feel frightened by the atmosphere of the ward.Additionally, family members cannot always be by their side. However, elderly people who pass away inresidential care home have a better quality of life, look more peaceful, and family members can providetheir loved ones with the final care without any constraints, thus mitigating the regrets associated withdeath."Spiritual End of Life Care Centre provides financial assistance to elderly individuals in the late stages whoare facing economic difficulties.In 2025, Spiritual End of Life Care Centre expresses gratitude to the Tang's family and the S C LiangCharitable Trust for their sponsorship. Starting in 2025, the centre operates with a new collaborative paymentand selection mechanism based on financial circumstances. This system will provide monthly subsidies foraccommodation costs, offering six months of comprehensive spiritual end-of-life care services for elderlypatients in the late stages who are facing financial difficulties.To know more, please clickhttps://hkcccu.kych.org.hk/en/services/center/

Thanks to the support of the Vera Ruttonjee Desai Charitable Fund, The Hong Kong Chinese Christian Churches Union Kwong Yum Care Home (Integrated Aged Care Service), Vera Ruttonjee Desai Spiritual End of Life Care Centre and the Department of Social Work and Social Administration of the University of Hong Kong successfully held the Spiritual End-of-Life Care Conference on December 4, 2024. We were honored to have Dr. the Honourable Edward LEONG Che-hung GBM,GBS,OBE,JP (former Chairman of the Elderly Commission); Dr. the Honourable LAM Ching-choi,SBS ,JP (Chief Executive Officer of Haven of Hope Christian Service) Prof. Amy CHOW (Si Yuan Professor Health and Social Work, University of Hong Kong) along with Rev. CHUNG Kin-kai (Chairman of The Hong Kong Chinese Christian Churches Union) and Professor Alex Kwan (Director of Charity Department of The Hong Kong Chinese Christian Churches Union) to officiate the opening ceremony. ‘ Spiritual End-of-Life Care Conference 2024”, namely “care of the soul at end of life: the essence of being human,’ aimed to explore and deeply understand the role of spirituality in end-of-life care, enhancing the quality of care during the final stages of life. We extend our gratitude to all the speakers for their rich and insightful content, which inspired many new thoughts and perspectives, bringing new insights to spiritual end-of-life care. We also thank over 400 participants from Ireland, the UK, Singapore, Mainland China, Taiwan, Macau, and Hong Kong, from various professional and managerial positions, for joining us both in person and online. Let us continue to work together to build the compassionate care community!

Given the increasing aging population and the implementation of legislation regarding dying in place, there is a growing demand for high-quality end-of-life care services in Hong Kong.   The Hong Kong Chinese Christian Churches Union Kwong Yum Care Home (Integrated Aged Care Service), Vera Ruttonjee Desai Spiritual End of Life Care Centre and the Department of Social Work and Social Administration of the University of Hong Kong host the “Spiritual End-of-Life Care Conference 2024”, namely Care of the soul at end-of-life: the essence of being human, to facilitate a deep understanding and appreciation of the role of spirituality in the dying process and to enhance the quality care provided to individuals facing the end of their lives.   Officiating guests︰ Dr. the Honourable Edward LEONG Che-hung GBM,GBS,OBE,JP  former Chairman of the Elderly Commission Dr. the Honourable LAM Ching-choi,SBS,BBS,JP Chief Executive Officer, Haven of Hope Christian Service Prof. Amy Y.M. CHOW Si Yuan Professor Health and Social Work,University of Hong Kong Pastor CHUNG Kin-kai   Chairman, The Hong Kong Chinese Christian Churches Union Prof. KWAN Yui-huen  Director of Charity Department, The Hong Kong Chinese Christian Churches Union*** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ****** *** *** ***  Date: 4 December 2024 (Wednesday) Time : 9am – 5pm (HKT) Venue: Rayson Huang Theatre, the University of Hong Kong Language : Cantonese (supplemented with English)   Target audience: Interested professional and managerial staffs (including nurses, social workers, occupational therapist, physiotherapist, expressive arts therapist, speech therapist, healthcare professionals, and chaplains/pastors, etc.). Fee:HKD $200 (In person) *Free KYCH-VRDSEOLCC Spiritual End-of-Life Care Booklet giveaways         HKD $150 (Online Webinar meeting) Cantonese content will have simultaneous English or Mandarin translation. (Upon registration, a link to the online conference will be emailed seven days before the event.) Seats are limited. First come, first served********************************************************* To purchase tickets 1.You need to register as a "POPTICKET" user and log in to the " POPTICKET " system before proceeding with ticket transactions.2.Before making payment, verify the email address for receiving the confirmation email and tickets. Please ensure that this email address can be used from ticket purchase until the day of the Conference.3.After completing the ticket purchase, you will receive an order confirmation email from "POPTICKET" within the ticketing records of your "POPTICKET" account. The confirmation email will include a QR code used for entry.   Purchase tickets   Registration deadline: 20 November 2024 Enquiries: (852) 3707 2787 / info@hkcccu.kych.org.hk Ms. Lam Funded by Vera Ruttonjee Desai Charitable Fund   In association with: Nethersole Institute of Continuing Holistic Health Education, Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Charity Foundation Centre on Behavioral Health, University of Hong KongNamaste Care International   Supporting agencies (no particular order) Haven of Hope Christian Service Society for the Promotion of Hospice Care Christian Family Service Centre Hong Kong Children & Youth Services Kowloon City Baptist Church Social Services Mental Health AssociationBaptist Oi Kwan Social Service Guardians of the Silver Age (Generation Hong Kong) Hong Kong Federation of Women's Centres   Arome of Love Manna Therabeing Family Wellness Rundown: Opening Ceremony Dr. the Honourable Edward LEONG Che-hung,GBM,GBS,OBE,JP former Chairman of the Elderly Commission Dr. the Honourable LAM Ching-choi,SBS,BBS,JP Chief Executive Officer,Haven of Hope Christian Service Prof. Amy Y.M. CHOW Si Yuan Professor Health and Social Work,University of Hong Kong Pastor CHUNG Kin-kai Chairman of The Hong Kong Chinese Christian Churches Union Prof. KWAN Yui-huen Director of Charity Department, The Hong Kong Chinese Christian Churches Union Messages of officiating guest Care of the soul at end-of-life Dr. the Honourable LAM Ching-choi,SBS,BBS,JP Chief Executive Officer, Haven of Hope Christian Service Knowing spiritual health and practices Exploring the role of spiritual wellbeing in supporting the older adults with terminal illness and their family caregiver. Prof. Simon S.M. KWAN Professor, Department of Cultural and Religious Studies, Chinese University of Hong Kong  The role and contribution of spiritual practices to end-of-life care of older adults. Prof. Rainbow T.H.HO Professor, Department of Social Work & Social Administration,University of Hong Kong Embedding spiritual care practices with Namaste CareTM Honoring the Spirit Within - Namaste CareTM(English) Prof. Joyce Simard Founder of Namaste Care International The model of spiritual end-of-life care featuring Namaste CareTM  Ms. Vennus HO Superintendent, HKCCCU Kwong Yum Care Home (Integrated Aged Care Service) Transcending to high quality spiritual end of life care service Improving relationships with older people living with advanced dementia: perspectives of Namaste Carers in Australia(English) Dr. Sara Karacsony Senior Lecturer, Graduate Research & Adjunct Coordinator, School of Nursing, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania What are the components of a high quality spiritual end-of-life care service? Prof. Amy Y.M. CHOW Si Yuan Professor in Health and Social Work, University of Hong Kong Forum: Breaking the barriers of spiritual end-of-life care Moderator: Dr. Iris LEE Director of Nethersole Institute of Continuing Holistic Health EducationDisscussants: l   Mr. Larry LEE RSW, In-charge, Psychosocial Spiritual Care Service, Haven of Hope Sister Annie Skau Holistic Care Centre l   Ms. Elane SIU APN, Society for the Promotion of Hospice Care l   Ms. Conny LUI Chaplain, HKCCCU Kwong Yum Care Home (Integrated Aged Care Service) Closing remarks: The essence of being human Prof. KWAN Yui-huen Director of Charity Department of HKCCCU

"Green in One" has been awarded “The 18th Hong Kong Arts Development Awards (Award for Arts Promotion and Education)" by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council. This award recognises innovative and effective promotion strategies and execution in the field of arts promotion and education. In 2022, we launched "Green in One," a therapeutic farming and diverse arts program that adopts spiritual arts care model. Through various activities such as " Green ‧ Spirit Natural Arts Workshop" and "Expressive Arts Therapy Group," as well as Life Celebration & Exhibitions held at Kwun Tong Promenade’s VESSEL. We provide opportunities for elderly to express themselves through different modalities of arts. This program helps them break through barriers, pacify chaotic thoughts in their minds, and appreciate the true beauty of life. We are also delighted to bring the artworks created by the elderly into community markets, including the " the Live Better Market" at K11 Art Mall and the "In Time Of Fair" at The Mills. We also invited secondary school students to capture video clips, share their experiences, and edit them into short films (Reels) for publication. Furthermore, a celebration was held at the Kwun Tong Promenade’s VESSEL, showcasing over 80 artworks created by the elderly and demonstrating the collaborative efforts of the elderly, artists, expressive arts therapists, and caregivers.   If you would like to support "Green in One" or the "Elderly Arts Development Project," please visit: Support us

With close to 300 entries from over 20 countries, we are excited that The Hong Kong Chinese Christian Churches Union Kwong Yum Care Home (Integrated Aged Care Service) is the winner for the 12th Eldercare Innovation Awards 2024 under the following category: Operator of the Year - Palliative Care. We have been providing end-of-life care services since 2012 and with our extensive experience, we launched the Vera Ruttonjee Desai Spiritual End of Life Care Centre in 2021, which is the pioneer to adopt Namaste Care™️ approach in Care Homes in Hong Kong. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to share our experience in spiritual end-of-life care at the World Ageing Festival organized by Ageing Asia  and collaborate with the industry to build compassionate care in our community.

At the beginning of 2024, we are thrilled to have received the Hong Kong Elderly Care Provider of the Year 2022/23 presented by Prestige Awards. Upholding the principles of "Love and Benevolence" and "Life nourishment" with the goals of "Respecting the Elders" and "Serving God," we will keep providing the highest quality and innovative integrated care service for the elders. We aim to recognize their talents and maximize their capabilities so as to promote their wellness with faith, hope and love. We also ensure that their physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs are appropriately cared for, enable them to live a life of respect, independent, and abundance in the later years.

We are grateful to be nominated by members of the Chamber of Commerce to compete for the "2023 Outstanding Innovative Enterprise Award" organised by Business Innovator. We are very honoured to receive the "The Most Annual Outstanding Integrated Aged Care Services Award" presented by Mr Joseph H. L. Chan, JP Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Hong Kong SAR Government. Our aged care service have been established for over 120 years, receiving this award is truly a milestone for us. As we all know, there is a great need for aged care service nowadays, to provide outstanding integrated aged care service, we must keep up with pulse of society, be more creative, and meet the diverse needs of every single elderly.  Providing spiritual end-of-life care for elderly and their families is our important part of work. We will continue to uphold the value of Namaste Care, honour the spirit from within, and support the elderly and their family to experience faith-hope-love.  We also hope to share the experience of #Namaste Care (Hong Kong version) with more people in our industry, providing better quality services with compassionate and humane care for our elderly and families.