XN000022-1985-07-16 — Page 5

TUESDAY, JULY 16, 1985

+CONCERN FOR ELDERLY IMPORTANT+

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CONCERN AND RESPECT FOR THE ELDERLY WERE AS IMPORTANT AS COMMUNITY SERVICES AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT. THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID AT A +PARTY FOR THE THOUSAND AGED+ TODAY (TUESDAY).

SHE SAID IT WAS ENCOURAGING TO NOTE THAT IN RECENT YEARS, MANY YOUNG PEOPLE WERE HELPING SENIOR CITIZENS IN RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND WERE TAKING PART IN VOLUNTARY WORK.

+THIS WOULD NOT ONLY PROMOTE THE WELL-BEING OF THE ELDERLY, BUT ALSO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THE NEEDS OF THE AGED, SHE SAID.

ON THE OTHER HAND, MORE ELDERLY PEOPLE WERE WILLING TO TAKE PART IN COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES, TO MAKE FRIENDS AND TO FOSTER THEIR

INTERESTS.

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MRS CHAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT POLICY ON ELDERLY SERVICES FOCUSED ON THREE MAIN AREAS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, RESIDENTIAL CARE AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT.

ON RESIDENTIAL CARE, SHE REITERATED THAT THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WAS REVIEWING THE OVERALL PROVISION OF HOUSING FOR THE ELDERLY, WITH THE OBJECT OF MEETING ANY SHORTFALLS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HAD AGREED TO PROVIDE AND OPERATE SELF- CARE HOSTELS FOR THE ABLE-BODIED ELDERLY, SHE SAID, AND AN OLD PEOPLE'S HOME WOULD BE ESTABLISHED IN FUTURE NEW HOUSING ESTATES WITH OVER 6 000 FLATS OR A POPULATION OF 25 000.

ONE THIRD OF THE PLACES IN EACH HOME WOULD BE DESIGNATED FOR THOSE NEEDING CARE AND ATTENTION FACILITIES.

FOR THE FIT AND HEALTHY. THERE ARE AT PRESENT 94 SOCIAL CENTRES WHERE THEY CAN ENJOY THE COMPANY OF THEIR PEERS AND TAKE PART IN LEISURE PURSUITS.

THE NUMBER OF SUCH CENTRES WAS INCREASING BY ABOUT 12 PER YEAR, MRS CHAN SAID.

SHE SAID THE PACE OF EXPANSION OF THIS SERVICE HAD NEVER SLACKENED, BUT STRESSED THAT THIS EXPANSION COULD NOT BE AT THE EXPENSE OF OTHER PRIORITY SERVICES.

SHE PAID TRIBUTE TO THE SHUN TAK FRATERNAL ASSOCIATION FOR ORGANISING THE PARTY, WHICH SHE SAID HAD SET A VERY GOOD EXAMPLE TO THE COMMUNITY.

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