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(i) Services to promote an active lifestyle
(ii)
In 1996/97, there are 196 social centres and 27 multi-services centres for the elderly which offer activities to meet the social and recreational needs of the elderly and to encourage elderly people to widen their social circle. Multi-service centres for the elderly also provide community education programmes to help elderly persons understand various changes accompanying the aging process and face them in a positive manner. In districts where elderly population congregate, Family Life Education workers will include the elderly people as target participants of their programmes. In particular, the elderly people are encouraged to maintain an active life style irrespective of whether they are economically active.
Support services for elderly at risk
There are 65 Family Services Centres and 344 Medical Social Services Units to assist the needy including elderly people to solve their problems. Furthermore, Clinical Psychology Units and counselling unit of multi-service centres for the elderly of the Social Welfare Department, non-governmental organisations and Hospital Authority provide counselling services to elderly persons facing problems or in crisis. In addition, the Department of Health has introduced a pilot Elderly Health Service which places emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention. Clients are encouraged to attend health promotion activities and to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Clients are also provided with annual physical examinations and health screenings for chronic diseases including depressions. Elderly with symptoms of suicidal tendency will be promptly referred to hospitals.