Background
Mr Chung, aged 70, lived alone, secluded, on Comprehensive Social Security Assistance. For many years, he had suffered from low back pain and knee joint pain and not had a job. He liked going to the park and often stayed at home by himself. He was unwilling to talk to strangers and did not have a phone, which made getting in touch with him difficult.

Mr Chung’s old home had large amounts of clutter, blocking even the bathroom. He was unwilling to discard things, and his hoarding greatly affected his living space. The Urban Renewal Authority and our team visited Mr Chung multiple times to find out more about his background. The social worker on the team also explained to Mr Chung the downsides of hoarding and how the Home Improvement Community Programme could improve his life. In the end, we earned his trust, persuaded him to manage his clutter, and helped him move.

Suggestions
Our designer suggested adding more elderly-friendly equipment to the new home and designed an open shelf for Mr Chung to make storage more convenient and the home more organised. The multi-layer design made it easy for Mr Chung to sort his items into categories, enabling a safer and tidier home.

Background
Mr Choi used to live on the rooftop of a tong lau (tenement building) in To Kwa Wan. Conditions were poor: ‘The ceiling had collapsed. When there was a typhoon, I had to use basins to contain the water. Everything at home was soaked. There were mice too!’ After suffering from emphysema, which required hospitalisation, it had been difficult for him to climb the nine flights of stairs to his rooftop home. He was then referred by a social worker to temporary housing in an elderly centre. Later, because his home was included in the scope of redevelopment, he was allocated public housing in Ping Tin Tsuen in Lam Tin, and was among the beneficiaries of the Home Improvement Community Programme.

Suggestions
Mr Choi’s new home was about 170 square feet. Not only was it fully furnished, it featured many details especially designed for him. The occupational therapist had made a home visit to assess Mr Choi’s daily habits and functional ability. The designer, learning that Mr Choi had problems such as cataracts and blurred vision, used contrasting colours for the wardrobe handle so that it would be visible even in dim lighting. The designer also painted the door frames with colours to facilitate Mr Chung’s trips to the bathroom at night, when only the night light and the porch light would be on. To accommodate Mr Choi’s frailty, bed rails were installed to help him get out of bed more easily and to prevent falls.

Background

Ms Lei, chronically ill and suffering from ageing knee joints, had difficulty going up and down the stairs and getting out of bed. She required a homemade rope to help herself off the bed. Ms Lei’s old home had many documents and items and little space for living. With diabetic eye disease as well, she had a rather high risk of falling at home.

Suggestions

The team advised Ms Lei to discard as many unnecessary items as possible, given that her new home would be half as small. Having too much clutter would compromise her living space and pose a tripping hazard.

The occupational therapist recommended that fall-prevention equipment be installed, such as a mat with a soft bottom. Considering the difficulty Ms Lei had in getting out of bed, the designer added a bed rail, so that Ms Lei could prop herself up, sit up straight, and plant her feet on the floor before standing. The designer also considered Ms Lei’s habit of reading and consuming the news on her computer and made room for a desk. The team also introduced gerontechnology for Ms Lei, such as an electric, remote-controlled clothes airer. That way, Ms Lei would not have to lift her arms and fiddle with a clothes-drying pole, making it easier for her to take care of herself. Ms Lei thanked the team: ‘Everything is more convenient and more advanced. The clothes airer comes down with just a tap on a button, gets my clothes dried, and saves me from climbing up and down. I like it very much.’ Ms Lei was so grateful for the Urban Renewal Authority and our team that she wrote a letter of appreciation.

Background

Mr Lau lived alone, with no other support, in a subdivided unit in To Kwa Wan. His home was so small that there was barely any room apart from his bed. Prior to retirement, Mr Lau was a electrician. He had been hospitalised multiple times due to work-related injuries. He had also had multiple surgeries related to his colon cancer, and his stoma still required daily care. Given that he stayed home most of the time, with little exercise and his knees degenerating, his legs were not in good shape.

Suggestions

The occupational therapist suggested that more elderly-friendly equipment be installed. Examples included handrails and sensor lights, so that Mr Lau would be less likely to fall at home. Mr Lau noted the need for a wardrobe in the new home and that he liked to have clothes on hangers. The designer added to the wardrobe a pull-down rail, and installed in the kitchen a sink and an adjustable-height countertop, accommodating Mr Lau’s physical abilities and daily needs. If his knees deteriorated further and made walking difficult, he would still be able to cook and take care of himself. To facilitate wheelchair use in the future, the designer lowered the threshold and gave it rounded edges. This would make it easier for Mr Lau to go in and out and less likely for him to trip and fall.

Background

Ms Kwok was a divorcée who lived alone, away from her son, and on Comprehensive Social Security Assistance. She underwent surgery for a brain tumour about 10 years ago and had high blood pressure. A benign brain tumour appeared in 2021. Possibly a consequence of the tumour in the back of her brain, Ms Kwok was easily confused and would forget where she put certain things.

Suggestions

Ms Kwok had hoped that after moving to her new home, she could have friends over more often. There had been few opportunities to do so in her old home due to poor conditions. In addition to selecting an extendable dining table, the designer also placed a storage bench near the wall to serve both social and practical functions. In addition, to combat Ms Kwok’s forgetfulness, upon discussion with the occupational therapist, the designer came up with a multi-functional, multi-compartment cabinet for Ms Kwok to sort her things into categories. A pull-down rail was also added to the wardrobe, making it more convenient for her to hang and take out her clothes. Moreover, to make it easier for Ms Kwok to go to the bathroom at night, night lights were installed along the bed to the bathroom. After the renovation was completed, the Urban Renewal Authority and our team met with Ms Kwok to hand over the new home and inspect the effectiveness of their elderly-friendly design. Ms Kwok had invited friends for the occasion and said, with satisfaction, ‘Now there is ample storage space. The wardrobe with the pull-down rail is so convenient. There is no need for me to climb up to reach my clothes. The whole place is very tidy. I can invite friends over more often for gatherings and meals. You’re all amazing!’ The team could feel her joy too.

Background
We still remember the first time we went with the Urban Renewal Authority to meet Ms Cheung on the terrace of her new place. Her warmth and smile left a great impression. Before meeting her, with just the information from her background evaluation, we had not fully appreciated her optimism and openness. Ms Cheung did not have children and lived on Comprehensive Social Security Assistance. She suffered from high blood pressure and had previously had breast cancer and surgery on her foot. Her chronic illness had affected her mobility.

Suggestions
The occupational therapist began assessing upon learning about Ms Cheung’s background and physical conditions. Ms Cheung’s feet had been made worse by the fact that she could not fully stretch them out on her old bed. There had been times when her feet would get so weak that she could not go to the bathroom by herself, which affected her ability to take care of herself.

The designer first inspected Ms Cheung’s living conditions, analysed whether the flat’s provision would fit Ms Cheung, and collaborated with the occupational therapist to incorporate the occupational therapy evaluation’s suggestions into the design plan. Non-slip, wood-grain rubber flooring was used to reduce the risk of falls. A foldable bath chair was installed to allow Ms Cheung to shower while sitting, so as to reduce the risk of slipping. Anti-slip tapes were applied on the platform. The team also designed storage cabinets for Ms Cheung's four shopping trolleys, so that the interior of the home would not be obstructed. On the day of project completion, the team had a surprise for Ms Cheung. They met with her at the podium and went together to her new home to capture the moment of ‘unboxing’. Although Ms Cheung moved slowly and needed a crutch, she could not hide her excitement and inspected every corner of her new home

Finally, the occupational therapist conducted a second assessment before Ms Cheung moved in. The designer then explained to Ms Cheung how to use the facilities. After completing the renovation inspection, when everyone was about to leave, Ms Cheung, who had planned to move in the day after, suddenly decided to spend the night there. Everyone was surprised by this decision and felt recognised for their hard work.

Background

Mr. Li, a vibrant elderly, leads an independent life but relies on comprehensive rehabilitation for his livelihood. He faces daily challenges due to benign thyroid tumours and high blood pressure, which impact his overall well-being.

Mr. Li's home is carefully adorned with elements that reflect his love for fishing and create a marine-themed atmosphere. The fish-shaped hook, lifebuoy pillow, and small fish night light string all contribute to the nautical ambiance. The designer wanted Mr. Li to feel the soothing presence of the ocean even within the walls of his home.

To enhance Mr. Li's comfort and accommodate his specific needs, a rotatable dining chair has been placed next to the dining table. This thoughtful addition aims to reduce strain on his neck, allowing him to adjust his position with ease. Moreover, our designer has incorporated arc design furniture throughout the space, creating smoother lines and a visually pleasing aesthetic. This design choice not only adds a touch of elegance but also minimizes the risk of accidental collisions, ensuring a safer environment.

Suggestion

In addition, considering Mr. Li's age, our designer has suggested the inclusion of elderly-friendly equipment in his new home. These include an electric clothes drying rack, pull-down storage racks in the kitchen cabinets, umbrella/cane storage racks, folding shower-changing tools, bath chairs, and bed rails. These additions aim to facilitate Mr. Li's daily activities and cater to his specific needs, promoting a comfortable and convenient living experience.

Due to the redevelopment project, Mr. Yang, 69, was relocated to his new house. Mr. Yang originally lived in a subdivided room with an area of ​​less than 50 feet, without ventilation, and slept on a bunk bed without a safe bed rail. Rats were rampant in the old building and the environment was not hygienic.

Now there is good ventilation in his new home. The team divided the areas for living, dining and sleeping, and also equipped it with elderly-friendly facilities such as handrails, bed rails, a shower  chair, sensor lights, etc. to enhance home safety. Mr. Yang likes listening English songs. In order to add music to the atmosphere, the team hung pictures about music on the walls.

Mr. Lai, 64 years old, was hit by a bicycle on the street in 2022. The accident caused nerve damage to his hands and feet, which made his limbs prone to cramps. Later, he even suffered from sporadic incontinence. In view of this, the team not only provided services for Mr. Lai, but also equipped his home with elderly-friendly facilities such as handrails, bed rails, a shower chair, sensor lights, etc. The team also selected a movable and liftable trash can for him to dispose diapers. In addition, the team also took care of his mental health. Knowing that he loves car models and has many collections, display boxes were added to display his favorite collections.