XN000022-1982-10-05 — Page 3

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1982

THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL ALSO DECIDED TODAY TO EXTEND THE ABOLITION OF THE DOUBLE TOLL TO THE LION ROCK TUNNEL.

WHILE TAXI METERS ARE BEING RECALIBRATED TO REGISTER THE NEW FARES. CONVERSION TABLES ISSUED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL BE BROUGHT INTO USE. DETAILS OF THESE ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE ANNOUNCED SOON.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT URGED FOR THE ELDERLY ****

THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR SELWYN ALLEYNE CALLED TODAY (TUESDAY) FOR COMMUNITY SUPPORT TO HELP ELDERLY PEOPLE.

ADDRESSING A LUNCH MEETING OF THE LIONS CLUB OF BEACON HILL, HE SAID THAT WHILE HONG KONG AS A SOCIETY SHOULD LOOK TO THE FAMILY FIRST, THE GOVERNMENT AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE MUST ALSO RECOGNISE THE IR RESPONSIBILITIES.

*THIS IS WHY THE GOVERNMENT'S POLICY ON THE ELDERLY, AS EXPRESSED IN THE 1979 WHITE PAPER SOCIAL WELFARE INTO THE 1980'S' HAS FOCUSED ON THE CONCEPT OF 'CARE IN THE COMMUNITY',+ HE SAID.

MR ALLEYNE POINTED OUT THAT THE EXISTING CASH BENEFITS AND DIRECT SERVICES PROVIDED BY GOVERNMENT OR SUBVENTED VOLUNTARY AGENCIES WERE TO ENSURE THAT OLD PEOPLE AND THEIR FAMILIES COULD CONTINUE TO LIVE TOGETHER WITHOUT THE STRAINS OF FINANCIAL DEPENDENCE, ILL HEALTH OR MENTAL DECLINE PROVING TOO MUCH FOR THEM TO COPE WITH.

HE STRESSED THAT IF FAMILY SUPPORT WAS NOT AVAILABLE OR WAS INADEQUATE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF OLD PEOPLE, RESIDENTIAL CARE MUST BE PROVIDED AS A LAST RESORT.

TURNING TO HOUSING WHICH IS CONSIDERED THE MOST PRESSING PROBLEM FOR MANY OLD PEOPLE, MR ALLEYNE SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD MADE PARTICULAR EFFORTS TO GIVE PRIORITY TO OLD PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL HOUSING NEEDS.

THESE INCLUDED COMPASSIONATE REHOUSING QUOTA, ACCOMMODAT JON FOR GROUPS OF ELDERLY PEOPLE AND HOSTELS IN ALL PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.

IT IS PLANNED THAT THE NUMBER OF OLD PEOPLE'S HOMES AND CARE-AND-ATTENTION HOMES FOR THOSE WHO NEED PERSONAL CARE AND ASSISTANCE WILL BE EXPANDED CONSIDERABLY OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, MR ALLEYNE SAID.

THE PROPORTION OF HONG KONG'S TOTAL POPULATION OVER THE AGE OF 60 IS INCREASING AS A RESULT OF IMPROVED STANDARDS OF LIVING, NUTRITION AND HEALTH CARE, HE SAID,

/BUT HE ...