SATURDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1986
CARE IN COMMUNITY ESSENTIAL FOR ELDERLY SERVICES
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THERE HAVE BEEN SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS IN SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY, BOTH IN QUALITY AND QUANTITY, WITH THE IDENTIFICATION OF +CARE IN THE COMMUNITY+ AS THE POLICY OBJECTIVE AT THE ONSET OF THE 1980'S AND WITH CONTINUOUS MODIFICATIONS TO MEET CHANGING NEEDS, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS EVELYN BOE, SAID THIS (SATURDAY) EVENING,
ELABORATING ON THE POLICY, SHE SAID THAT THE OBJECTIVE WAS TO PROVIDE VARIOUS TYPES OF COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES TO OLD PEOPLE AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF OLD PEOPLE AS WELL AS TO ASSIST FAMILIES TO TAKE CARE OF ELDERLY MEMBERS.
WHETHER THE SPIRIT OF THIS POLICY CAN BE FULLY EXERCISED DEPENDS ON WHETHER EACH FAMILY IN HONG KONG IS WILLING TO SHOULDER ITS RESPONSIBILITY OF CARING FOR ELDERLY MEMBERS AND TO ASSIST THEM TO REMAIN LIVING IN A FAMILIAR ENVIRONMENT IN THE TRUE CHINESE TRADITION OF RESPECT FOR THE ELDERLY WHILE THE COMMUNITY ALSO TAKES UP PART OF THE RESPONSIBILITY, SHE SAID.
MRS DOE WAS OFFICIATING AT THE 83RD ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION DINNER OF THE HONG KONG CHRISTIAN MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY RENDERED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES COMPRISED CASH BENEFITS, MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, HOUSING, TRANSPORT, RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, JOB PLACEMENT AND A WIDE RANGE OF COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES, INCLUDING DAY-CARE CENTRES. SOCIAL CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY, HOME HELP, MEALS, BATHING AND LAUNDRY SERVICES AND RESIDENTIAL CARE,
FACED WITH THE PROBLEM OF AN AGEING POPULATION, THE MOST URGENT TASK AT HAND WAS TO MEET THE SHORTFALLS IN THE SERVICES, SHE SAID.
MRS DOE CITED THE DEMAND FOR CARE-AND-ATTENTION PLACES AS AN EXAMPLE, ADDING THAT GOVERNMENT WAS ACTIVELY EXPLORING NEW APPROACHES TO INCREASE THE SUPPLY.
HOWEVER, SHE REITERATED THAT NO MATTER WHAT SETVICES WE PUT ON STREAM TO PROVIDE BASIC PROTECTION FOR THE LIVELIHOOD OF THE ELDERLY, +CARE IN THE COMMUNITY+ WOULD REMAIN EMPTY TALK WITHOUT REAL CONCERN FOR THE ELDERLY ON THE PART OF THE COMMUNITY.
SHE PRAISED THE HONG KONG CHRISTIAN MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY FOR ITS ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY SERVICES AND SAID SHE HOPED THAT IT WOULD CONTINUE TO CO-OPERATE WITH THE GOVERNMENT IN CARING FOR THE ELDERLY.
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