XN000022-1983-03-22 — Page 9

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TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 1983

THEY SHOULD PREFERRABLY BE AGED BETWEN 20 AND 30 YEARS, POSSESS A SECONDARY EDUCATION STANDARD, AND MUST BE PHYSICALLY FIT WITH A MINIMUM WEIGHT OF 42 KG AND HEIGHT OF 152 CM. THEY ARE REQUIRED TO PASS A GOVERNMENT MEDICAL EXAMINATION BEFORE ENLISTMENT, CANDIDATES WITH AN ABILITY TO DRIVE AND PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE IN TRANSLATION AND INTERPRETATION WORK WILL BE GIVEN PREFERENTIAL CONSIDERATION.

AFTER ENLISTMENT, FEMALE VOLUNTEERS WILL BE ENGAGED FOR A SERVICE PERIOD OF FOUR YEARS WHICH IS RENEWABLE. THEY WILL RECEIVE PAY AND MEALS FOR ALL PERIODS OF TRAINING AND DUTY AS WELL AS AN ANNUAL BOUNTY FOR GOOD ATTENDANCE AND PERFORMANCE.

NEED FOR SERVICES FOR ELDERLY INCREASING

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THERE IS AN INCREASING NEED FOR WELFARE SERVICES FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR JOHN CHAMBERS, SAID TODAY TUESDAY).

HE ATTRIBUTED THIS TO TWO MAIN REASONS - PEOPLE LIVING LONGER BECAUSE OF IMPROVEMENTS IN BOTH ECONOMIC CONDITION AND HEALTH SERVICES, AND THE SMALLER SIZE OF MODERN DOMESTIC ACCOMMODATION WHICH OFTEN MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE ELDERLY TO CONTINUE TO LIVE WITH THE FAMILY,

ADDRESSING THE FIFTH PARTY FOR A THOUSAND, AGED ORGAN I SED BY THE SHUN TAK FRATERNAL ASSOCIATION AT THE CITY HALL

CONCERT HALL TODAY, MR CHAMBERS SAID MUCH ATTENTION HAD BEEN PAID TO THE OLDER MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY IN THE PAST 10 YEARS OR SO.

HE OUTLINED DIFFERENT FORMS OF SERVICES BEING PROVIDED FOR THE ELDERLY WHICH INCLUDE RESIDENTIAL HOMES OF VARIOUS KINDS AND SOCIAL CENTRES.

+COUNSELLING FOR THE ELDERLY, AS FOR OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS, IS PROVIDED IN MANY FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES, HE SAID.

HOME HELP SERVICES HAD BEEN EXPANDED TO NEW TOWNS AND PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.

+MANY OF THESE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED BY VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, WITH THE HELP OF GOVERNMENT SUBVENTION, HE SAID.

FURTHERMORE, A SCHEME OF PRIORITY HOUSING FOR THE ELDERLY WAS INTRODUCED BY THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT IN 1981 AND THE QUALIFYING AGE FOR THE OLD AGE ALLOWANCE WAS LOWERED FROM 75 TO 70 IN 1976.

+THOSE WHOSE INCOME FALLS BELOW THE PRESCRIBED LEVEL CAN ALSO APPLY FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, HE ADDED.