Bridging Borders in Senior Care:
Carefirst Hosts Hong Kong Clinical Leaders for Integrated Care Training
Carefirst was privileged to host the “Integrated Care Across the Continuum for Older Adults in Ontario, Canada” — a Corporate Scholarship Program for Clinical Leaders of the Hong Kong Hospital Authority.
An 11-day Canadian nursing-focused training program, held January 12–26, 2026, was specially designed for nursing and clinical leaders from the Hong Kong Hospital Authority (HKHA). Its core purpose is to offer the delegates a “big picture” perspective by examining how Canadian nurses deliver integrated care across the continuum for older adults with varying health and psychosocial needs.
The training covered a wide range of subjects relevant to elderly care, including:
- Key policies and drivers that influence the physical, social, and mental health wellbeing of older adults
- Understanding of Ontario related health and social services for older adults in the community, how care integration across different service settings can enhance seniors’ health outcomes.
- Canada’s Healthcare System in a Global Perspective, how Canada compares internationally
- Health Care Professionals/Nursing in Canada
- Nursing leadership and change management
- Understanding Seniors care in — community support services, mental health and acute setting
- Continence care for older adults
- Roles of nurses in supporting older adults living in the community, Behavioral support Services and Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA)
- Understanding the Geriatric Services/Programs in both provincial and regional perspectives
- Snap shot of comprehensive services to support seniors aging at home in the community
- Understanding Seniors Services and Home Dialysis Assistance Program, how the shared model or care integration works between the acute and community setting to support patients/ families
- Palliative/End of life care in long term care and in the community
Delegates’ Remarkable Experiences
Delegates expressed their sincere gratitude for the thoughtful arrangements, warm hospitality, and flexible schedule management provided throughout the program. The well-balanced integration of lectures and onsite field visits was particularly well-received.
Quotes from delegates:
- “Strongly thrilled to gain valuable insight into nursing leadership, hospice and end-of-life care, community mental health programs, Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA), and the evolving Nurse Practitioner role”
- “I was highly Inspired by the value and adoption of integrated elderly care across different sectors, noting the positive synergy of cross-departmental collaboration”
- “Excited to learn Ontario’s strong volunteer culture also left a lasting impression, sparking reflection on how to better harness volunteer support within their own hospital settings.”