Hong Kong's temperature is set to drop to 15 degrees Celsius this week as the city braces for the arrival of a cold front, prompting calls for the elderly to prepare for the onset of winter and avoid situations where they could fall.
According to a press conference on Monday, jointly held by the Hong Kong Observatory and the Senior Citizen Home Safety Association, the average number of monthly cases of elderly people seeking help due to falls last winter reached 400, representing a 13 percent increase over other times of the year.
During the press conference, the HKO said the city would be affected by a cold front this week, with northern winds intensifying and possible showers.
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Acting Assistant Director of the HKO Cheng Yuen-chung said that residents would experience cooler weather in the morning and evening on Tuesday, with temperatures in the city dropping to 15 C by Thursday and Friday.
In Ta Kwu Ling in the New Territories, the mercury could drop to as low as 12 C on Thursday and Friday morning, according to the HKO.
Elderly individuals suffer from reduced thermoregulatory functions, making them more vulnerable to the effects of low temperatures, Maura Wong Hung-hung, the Senior Citizen Home Safety Association’s chief executive officer, said at the press conference.
Wong said that senior citizens are particularly susceptible to conditions like hypothermia, cardiovascular diseases, fractures, and influenza during the winter months, necessitating extra caution.
According to SCHSA, the number of senior citizens seeking assistance through wireless devices was nearly 10 percent higher last winter compared to the annual average.
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She said that many elderly individuals seek help from the association for pain, falls, and dizziness during the winter season.
Wong cautioned that engaging in certain activities — such as reaching for objects, lifting heavy items, and walking hurriedly or running — could increase the risk of falling by 1.7 times for seniors.
Wong urged the elderly and their families to be mindful of risky behaviors, including wearing excessively thick clothing that could cause a fall, as winter approaches.
She also highlighted the importance of preparing warm clothing and heaters in advance, maintaining a moderate exercise routine, following any weather updates, and preparing for significant day-night temperature differences.
Wong said it is also important for families and the community to be more attentive to the needs of the elderly, especially those living alone, and to provide timely assistance when needed.
