THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1982
SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY
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THE GOVERNMENT'S POLICY TOWARDS THE ELDERLY IS TO PROVIDE THEM WITH VARIOUS SERVICES TO ENABLE THEM TO CONTINUE LIVING WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR SELWYN ALLEYNE, SAID THIS TODAY (THURSDAY) WHEN HE OPENED THE YAN CHAI HOSPITAL'S YAU OI HOSTEL FOR THE ELDERLY IN TUEN MUN.
MR ALLEYNE STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF THE FAMILY'S ROLE IN PROVIDING CARE FOR THE ELDERLY.
BUT HE ADDED THAT IF THIS SUPPORT WAS INADEQUATE, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD PROVIDE ASSISTANCE.
HE NOTED THAT THE PROGRAMME TO PROVIDE HOSTEL ACCOMMODATION
IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES HAD MADE A MAJOR CONTRIBUTION TO SOLVING THE PROBLEMS OF OLD PEOPLE UNABLE TO LIVE ON THEIR OWN.
THERE ARE ABOUT 2 100 HOSTEL PLACES IN WHICH OLD PEOPLE LIVE IN GROUPS WITHIN A NORMAL HOUSING ENVIRONMENT +SO THAT THEY DO NOT FEEL SOCIALLY ISOLATED OR SEPARATED FROM COMMUNITY LIFE AS A WHOLE,+ HE SAID.
THE GOVERNMENT WAS ALSO PLANNING TO PURCHASE UP TO 150 RESIDENTIAL FLATS BY EARLY 1983 TO HOUSE SOME 700 OLD PEOPLE WHO ARE STILL ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES.