Not Letting Go, But Putting Down: No Longer 'Guarding' the Elderly, But 'Understanding' How to Accompany Them

“Wearing a safety vest feels like being locked up; even pouring myself a glass of water has become difficult.” — Mrs. Chan, 82, on her initial feelings upon admission to the care home

Current Situation of Physical Restraints in Hong Kong Elderly Homes 
A 2017 study by the University of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University revealed that the rate of physical restraints in elderly homes soared from 57.9% to 75.7% over ten years. This reflects the dilemma faced by care homes between ensuring safety and respecting autonomy.

The Care Dilemma: Safety vs. Dignity 
Care homes often face a difficult choice when dealing with elderly residents at high risk of falling: balancing “safety protection” with “autonomous dignity.” Traditional restraints, such as all-day safety vests, can reduce fall risk to some extent but directly impact the elderly’s comfort, freedom of movement, and control over their own lives.

A Breakthrough Opportunity: “Enjoying Twilight Years” Project by Helping Hand Association 
The Helping Hand Association’s “Enjoying Twilight Years” project emphasizes three core values: safety, comfort, and satisfaction. It is committed to providing a safe environment, practicing comfortable living, and creating fulfilling later years. From years of research literature, we know that the joy and satisfaction of elderly people often come from their “autonomy and independence.”

Enjoy Twilight Years – Minimizing the Use of Physical Restraint (ETY-MUPR) to improve the quality of life for high fall risk elderly residents in care homes

This project introduces a self-support care model that improves the quality of life and happiness of high fall-risk residents by: 
Enhancing residents’ lower limb strength through training 
Providing staff training
Implementing policies to reduce the use of restraints

Helping Hand's theme, “Enjoying Twilight Years,” focuses on safety, comfort, and satisfaction, creating a powerful synergy with the self-support care model: ​

• Safety: Providing a safe living environment with appropriate protection and support during daily activities
• Comfort: Personalized support plans under the self-support care model improve quality of life, aligning with the goal of a comfortable living environment
• Satisfaction: By enhancing autonomy and participation, the project helps fulfill personal wishes and increases life satisfaction

Both emphasize improving individual quality of life and happiness.

Returning Care to Respect, Leading Later Years to Autonomy

After two years of effort, we have witnessed 60 restraint belts gently undone — this is not about giving up protection but about guarding with the warmth of self-support and the safety net of smart technology.

When 80% of high-risk elderly reduce the use of restraints, it is not just a numerical victory but the most concrete interpretation of the “Enjoying Later Years” philosophy: safety protected by technology, comfort arising from autonomous choices, and satisfaction blooming in every unrestrained smile. 

The Road Ahead Is Long, But We Firmly Believe: Undoing one restraint belt is lighting up a dignified chapter of life.

Welcome to follow the Helping Hand and join us in promoting a new chapter of elderly care based on respect and autonomy.​

 

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