Personal care for the elderly in geriatric zone of AWE
In view of the epidemic development, the Community Treatment Facility at AsiaWorld-Expo (CTF AWE) was repurposed as the Treatment Centre for COVID-19 (TCC AWE) in mid-March. Compared with the cases handled in the early stage of the fifth wave of the epidemic, patients recently admitted to the TCC AWE are generally older, with more underlying diseases and lacking self-care ability. Majority of them are bedridden or suffered from various chronic diseases, whose health conditions are further worsened by the COVID-19 infection that require higher level of care.
Chao Fung-wah (photo below), Nurse Consultant from the Community Care of the New Territories West Cluster, has been working at AWE since the fourth wave and is now one of team members working in geriatric zone. “Patients admitted in the earlier wave did not need much special care, as they were able to take care of themselves and had mostly mild symptoms,” says Chao, “in the fifth wave, however, more personalised care is necessary for the elderly patients, including changing their position every two hours, changing diapers every four hours and bed bath daily, as well as tube feeding for the elderly when necessary. What’s more, some elderly may have trouble adapting to the unfamiliar environment, and we have to monitor their mental state. Some of them even get lost after going to the toilet, for instance.”
Chao Fung-wah (photo below), Nurse Consultant from the Community Care of the New Territories West Cluster, has been working at AWE since the fourth wave and is now one of team members working in geriatric zone. “Patients admitted in the earlier wave did not need much special care, as they were able to take care of themselves and had mostly mild symptoms,” says Chao, “in the fifth wave, however, more personalised care is necessary for the elderly patients, including changing their position every two hours, changing diapers every four hours and bed bath daily, as well as tube feeding for the elderly when necessary. What’s more, some elderly may have trouble adapting to the unfamiliar environment, and we have to monitor their mental state. Some of them even get lost after going to the toilet, for instance.”
It is harsh for Chao and her colleagues to witness patients’ separation with their beloved. “We didn’t expect to have to deal with patients passing away at AWE, but some elderly patients had their conditions deteriorated rapidly after they were admitted,” she reflects, “they would only see their families for the last time in a video meeting. This is heartbreaking but fortunately the morale of our team is very good, and we remind each other to persevere and carry on with our work. We believe the epidemic will finally be over.”
Collaboration with Mainland Medical Support Team
About 400 members of the Mainland Medical Support Team have provided assistance in the treatment of COVID-19 patients at AWE since late March, speeding up the patient flow and easing the burden on local healthcare workers. HA Manager (Nursing) Hayley Lam describes the collaboration smooth between the local staff and the mainland team members, who are very committed to supporting the patients in Hong Kong. The mainland nurses had participated in the anti-epidemic missions in various cities, so both teams would share their experiences in taking care of COVID-19 patients.
