XN000022-1976-06-22 — Page 8

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TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 1976

MORE SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY URGED

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THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, TODAY URGED THE COMMUNITY TO HELP PROVIDE MORE SERVICES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE OLD PEOPLE.

+OLD PEOPLE OUGHT TO BE GIVEN EXTRA CARE AND ATTENTION, AND PROVIDED WITH MORE WELFARE SERVICES AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES SO THAT THEY WILL BE ABLE TO SPEND THEIR REMAINING YEARS IN GREATER COMFORT.+

MR. LEE WAS SPEAKING AT THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE 4TH TERM OFF ICE-BEARERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT FEDERATION OF WELFARE SERVICES FOR THE AGED.

THE DIRECTOR NOTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN PLACING GREATER EMPHASIS ON SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS. +PLANS WHICH HAVE BEEN WORKED OUT AND IMPLEMENTED INCLUDE THE INFIRMITY ALLOWANCE SCHEME, RESIDENTIAL CARE AND COUNSELLING SERIVCES.+

HOWEVER, HE CONTINUED, WE ALL KNOW THAT APART FROM MATERIAL NEEDS, OLD PEOPLE ALSO REQUIRE SPIRITUAL COMFORT. +THEY NEED THE CONCERN AND RESPECT OF THE YOUNGER GENERATION AS WELL AS THE PROVISION OF WELFARE SERVICES AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.+

MR. LEE NOTED THAT IT IS A CHINESE CUSTOM THAT OLD PEOPLE LIKE TO LIVE THEIR LAST YEARS WITH THEIR CHILDREN IN PEACE AND COMFORT, BUT BECAUSE OF THE CROWDED LIVING CONDITION AND BUSY LIFE IN HONG KONG, IT IS NOW MORE DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO LEAD SUCH A LIFE HERE.

+ IT IS THEREFORE AN URGENT TASK FOR US TO DEVELOP

COMMUNITY SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY, HE SAID.

+BY SO DOING, HE CONTINUED, +NOT ONLY ARE WE DOING THEM A GOOD DEED, BUT ALSO WE HELP TO MAINTAIN A BALANCED DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL LIFE.+