For Us, By Us：Mission of the Young People

The ageing population in Hong Kong continues to grow rapidly, and the elderly care service industry is in urgent need of new blood. At the same time, the industry also provides many career opportunities with great development potential, and attracts young people to join the industry.

Some young people participated in care service training programmes, and worked in elderly homes as care workers. They were subsequently promoted to health workers with more senior status and more demanding work. They believe that the work of health workers is far more challenging and satisfying than they can imagine, and at the same time, their job can also provide them with a stable income.

There are also young people who choose to become care equipment counsellors, and grasp the development trend of gerontechnology, as well as cooperating closely with occupational therapists, social workers, nurses, etc. They promote gerontechnology to the elderly and carers, and provide a one-stop service for the elderly who rent care equipment, from pre-rental on-site evaluation to continuous follow-up during the rental period, so as to help them ageing in place.

The most valuable lessons the young people, who join the elderly care service industry, can learn is to witness that life is full of uncertainties, and enrich their life experience when they spend time together with “their old buddies”. Looking forward, some people see elderly care service work as a long-term career, while others hope that after accumulating experience, they can spare time to study healthcare and pave the way for future career development. They all say that joining the elderly care service industry has broadened their horizons and abilities, and it is an insightful career choice.

Producer: Leo Lai