Media

“Swallowing difficulties in visually impaired elderly population”
Dissemination of Research Findings

18 Aug 2016

Swallowing difficulties can occur as a result of various medical conditions and ageing. Elderly individuals who experience swallowing difficulties are at high risk for malnutrition, dehydration, and reduced quality of life. The Swallowing Research Laboratory of the Division of Speech and Hearing Sciences, Faculty of Education, The University of Hong Kong (HKU) in collaboration with The Hong Kong Society for the Blind (HKSB) Residential Services, conducted a study that aimed at 1) identifying risk factors for swallowing difficulties; 2) investigating the elderly individuals’ self- awareness of swallowing difficulties; and 3) describing the impacts of swallowing difficulty on the quality of life.

The Swallowing Research Laboratory of the Division of Speech and Hearing Sciences, Faculty of Education, HKU and HKSB Residential Services will elaborate on the identified risk factors for swallowing difficulties in the visually impaired elderly and the elderly’s swallowing-related self-awareness and quality of life issues. An elderly participant from HKSB nursing home will also share her experiences in swallowing.

Media representatives are cordially invited to attend the press briefing and details are as follows:

Date:   August 24, 2016 (Wednesday)
Time:   11:00 am
Venue:  Assembly Hall, 8/F, East Wing, The Hong Kong Society for the Blind,
248 Nam Cheong Street, Shamshuipo, Kowloon
Language:  Cantonese
Speakers:   Dr Karen MK Chan, Assistant Professor
Director of Swallowing Research Laboratory,
Division of Speech and Hearing Sciences, Faculty of Education, HKU
Miss Dai Pu, Speech Therapist
Swallowing Research Laboratory,
Division of Speech and Hearing Sciences, Faculty of Education, HKU
Miss Maureen Tam, Chief Executive
The Hong Kong Society for the Blind
Mr Wilson WS Lam, Physiotherapist I
Residential Services, The Hong Kong Society for the Blind
Mr Armstrong T S Chiu, Occupational Therapist I
Residential Services, The Hong Kong Society for the Blind

For media enquiries, please contact Ms Yuki Wong, Swallowing Research Laboratory, Division of Speech and Hearing Sciences, Faculty of Education, HKU (Tel: 3917 1568; Fax: 2559 0060; email: yukiwyy@hku.hk) or Ms Carmen Ng, Communication Officer, HKSB (Tel: 3723 8208 / 9650 3552; Fax: 2788 0040; email : carmen.ng@hksb.org.hk).