Online Resources and Courses for Equipping Foreign Domestic Helpers to Care for Older Persons with Dementia in Hong Kong

How to equip foreign domestic helpers to care for older persons?

According to the 2021 Population Census conducted by the Census and Statistics Department, over one-fourth of the primary carers of older persons were foreign domestic helpers. Domestic helpers come from different cultural and educational backgrounds, and not all of them have received professional care training. The health condition and needs of each older person vary greatly, especially the complexity of dementia cases which require a high level of care. Through training, domestic helpers can better grasp daily care skills, enhance their understanding of dementia, and provide suitable care for older persons.

We have compiled the community resources currently available for domestic helper training into two main categories: skills for caring for older persons with dementia and daily eldercare skills. This includes both in-person courses and online resources. The course fees below are for reference only. Please contact the organizing institution for the latest and accurate fees.

Skills for caring for older persons with dementia
Online Resources

Caring for Elderly with Dementia Guide to Foreign Domestic Helper

• The “Caring for Elderly with Dementia Guide to Foreign Domestic Helper” was written by the professional team of Kwai Chung Hospital and is available in Chinese, English, and Indonesian. The team also collaborated with Kwai Ching District Office and produced videos in Cantonese, Mandarin, English and Bahasa Indonesian

Tips for Domestic Helpers Leaflet

• The “Tips for Domestic Helpers” leaflet was produced by The Jockey Club Centre for Positive Ageing. The leaflet introduces the roles of foreign domestic helpers and provides useful techniques for communicating with older persons with dementia. The leaflet is available in Chinese, English, Bahasa Indonesia and Tagalog.

One-Forty’s Dementia Care Materials – Training Manual for Foreign Domestic Helpers

• One-Forty is an NGO in Taiwan that focuses on the continuing education of foreign domestic helpers. Carers only need to register their personal information on the website to receive a download link for the "Dementia Care Materials for Foreign Domestic Helpers” training manual and video in traditional Chinese or Bahasa Indonesian.

Daily Care Skills for Older PersonsIn-person Training

Pilot Scheme on Training for Foreign Domestic Helpers in Elderly Care

• Introduction: The Social Welfare Department, Department of Health and District Elderly Community Centres under non-governmental organisations jointly implement the Pilot Scheme on Training for Foreign Domestic Helpers in Elderly Care. Foreign domestic helpers are required to take 8 core modules (common topics in elderly care and care skills) and 4 elective modules (on caring for older persons with dementia and stroke). The trainers of the Pilot Scheme include nurses, dieticians, physiotherapists and occupational therapists, and the courses are available in Cantonese or English (interpretation service in Tagalog, Bahasa Indonesian and Thai could be arranged in classes).
• Fees: Free-or-charge.
• Registration: Carers can contact the participating District Elderly Community Centres directly to enquire about the training course date and registration method.

Y Good Helper Foreign Domestic Helpers Training Service

• Introduction: “Y Good Helper” Foreign Domestic Helpers Training Service is provided by the “Y Senior Care”, a social enterprise established by the HKYWCA. It offers one-stop home-based professional assessment, practical training and follow-up support services
• Fees: There are different plans for carers to choose from, and it is one of the service providers recognised by the Community Care Service Voucher Scheme for the Elderly.
• Registration: Please call 2700 1750 or fill in the online application form

In-Home Caretaker Training

• Introduction: The half-day in-home training is provided by Evercare. It is conducted in English or Cantonese. Caregivers including family members and foreign domestic helpers can learn the skills and techniques in general care, diet management and hands-on demonstration.
• Fees: HK$3,880.
• Registration: Please complete the online application form.

Certificate Course for Domestic Helper Training (Elderly Care)

• Introduction: This course is provided by Hong Kong Association of Gerontology. English is the medium of instruction of this course. Foreign domestic helpers will learn elder care skills and nursing knowledge.
• Fees: HK$850.
• Registration: Please complete the online application form.

Domestic Helper Caregiving Workshop

• Introduction: The course is provided by Senior Citizen Home Safety Association. It helps domestic helpers enhance their comprehensive knowledge and practical skills in caring for older persons, so as to relieve caregiving stress and provide more appropriate care for the elders.
• Fees and registration: Please call 2952 7318 to enquire.

Basic Home Care Skills for Foreign Domestic Helpers

• Introduction: The course is provided by Hong Kong St. John Ambulance. The course aims at enhancing foreign domestic helpers’ elder care knowledge and skills, so as to improve the quality of life of the older persons.
• Fees: HK$800.
• Registration: Please call 2350 8048 to enquire about the course date and fill in the online application form.

Online resources

Carers Garden

• "Carers Garden” is a website created by Big Silver, which provides a comprehensive range of information for dementia carers. The feature “Hiring foreign domestic helpers” shares tips on hiring foreign domestic helpers to care for older persons.

Jockey Club Cadenza e-Tools for Elder Care

• The “Elder Care Tips for Public” offers an online nursing care course for foreign domestic helpers, with subtitles in Filipino, Indonesian and English to share information on caring for older persons.

A Helping Hand for Foreign Caregivers

• The videos are created by New Taipei City Labor Cloud. There are versions in Mandarin, Bahasa Indonesian and English, introducing and explaining daily care skills.

Caregiving Techniques for Foreign Caregivers

• The videos are created by New Taipei City Government's Labor Bureau. There are versions in Mandarin, Bahasa Indonesian and English, introducing and explaining daily care skills.

The complex needs of older persons, especially those with dementia, require specialized skills. By accessing training resources, foreign domestic helpers gain knowledge, skills and confidence to better care for the older persons. With employers' support and proper trainng, foreign domestic helpers can feel more equipped and motivated in their important caregiving roles.