SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1980
HE ALSO THANKED THE MANY VISITING EXPERTS WHO HAD HELPED OUR YOUNG MUSICIANS.
THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE BAND AND THE QUEEN'S OWN HIGHLANDERS FIRST BATTALION REGIMENTAL BAND ALSO JOINED THE YOUTH BAND IN THIS EVENING'S PERFORMANCE.
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SWD IN FULL SUPPORT OF FESTIVAL FOR THE ELDERLY
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THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IS ALL OUT TO BACK UP THE CURRENT FESTIVAL FOR THE ELDERLY AND IS ORGANISING NEARLY 100 DISTRICT PROGRAMMES FOR AN ESTIMATED 18 000 OLD PEOPLE.
THE PROGRAMMES COMPRISE A WIDE VARIETY OF ENTERTAINMENT SPREADING OVER SEVERAL MONTHS TO PROMOTE FILIAL LOVE AND CARE FOR THE ELDERLY.
THEY INCLUDE VEGETARIAN FEASTS, NUTRITION TALKS, CARNIVALS, SOCIAL VISITS, GAMES DAYS, BIRTHDAY PARTIES, FUN FAIRS AND PICNICS.
A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN CLOSELY INVOLVED IN THE PREPARATION OF THE FESTIVAL WITH THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE OF THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY THE FESTIVAL WAS IN LINE WITH THE GOVERNMENT'S AIM OF ENCOURAGING CARE FOR THE AGED IN THE COMMUNITY.
HE SAID SOCIAL CASEWORK SHOWED THAT OLD PEOPLE WERE GETTING LESS FILIAL LOVE AND RESPECT WHICH THEY DESERVED.
HE SAID SOCIAL WORKERS HAD ATTRIBUTED THIS TO CHANGES IN THE TRADITIONAL FAMILY STRUCTURE AND IDEOLOGICAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE YOUNG AND THE OLD.
+ IT IS APPROPRIATE THAT THE FESTIVAL IS ORGANISED TO AROUSE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE NEED TO CARE AND RESPECT THE ELDERLY,+ HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID SERVICES FOR OLD PEOPLE HAD BEEN A CONCERN OF BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE VOLUNTARY WELFARE SECTOR.
+TOGETHER THEY HAVE DEVELOPED SERVICES FOR THE AGED IN THE AREAS OF INSTITUTIONAL AND MEDICAL CARE, COMMUNITY FACILITIES, HOME HELP, HOUSING, RECREATION AND PERSONAL GUIDANCE, HE SAID.
HE CALLED ON THE COMMUNITY TO FOSTER THE CHINESE TRADITION OF LOVE AND CARE FOR OLD PEOPLE.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THEY HAD IN THEIR PRIME TIME CONTRIBUTED TO THE COMMUNITY AND MUST THEREFORE NOT BE NEGLECTED WHEN THEY BECAME OLD AND FRAGILE,