9.
More residential facilities for elderly underway
The Government, recognising a growing trend of a general lengthening of life expectancy, has been rapidly developing various types of services for the elderly with a view to keeping elderly people to remain active members of the community for as long as possible.
This was stated by the Director of Social Welfare, Mr Ian Strachan, when he officiated at the opening ceremony of the Yan Chai Hospital Artiste Training Alumni Association Care and Attention Home in Tsuen Wan today (Thursday).
Mr Strachan pointed out that in the throes of rapid urbanisation and industrialisation, coupled with the weaning of the traditional value of tightly knit family, elderly people were now much more in need of residential service than before in order that they could enjoy a comfortable and dignified old age.
He said against the background of these social changes, the Government had made forward plans to enhance residential facilities for the elderly, in particular to improve the quality of life of those who could no longer be cared for at home.
Of the various initiatives taken in this pursuit, Mr Strachan noted that in addition to provision of additional places in care and attention homes and aged homes, the Government would continue to plan for the construction of six nursing homes, implement the Residential Care Homes (Elderly Persons) Ordinance and establish an integrated waiting list for applicants for all residential care services for the elderly.
On the role of non-governmental organisations, he especially paid tribute to the Yan Chai Hospital that the care and attention home opened today was a remarkable and latest example of its contribution in its distinguished history of 23 years of community services.
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