XN000022-1986-10-07 — Page 7

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1986

CODE GIVES GUIDANCE TO PRIVATE HOMES FOR ELDERLY

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A CODE OF PRACTICE WAS PUBLISHED TODAY (TUESDAY) PROVIDING GUIDANCE FOR PRIVATE HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY ON HOW TO MAINTAIN A MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE LEVEL OF SERVICE.

THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE (OPERATIONS), MRS EVELYN DOE, SAID THE CODE HAD BEEN DRAWN UP FOR VOLUNTARY COMPLIANCE BY OPERATORS OF THESE HOMES.

+UNDERLYING ALL THE RECOMMENDATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS IS A CONVICTION THAT CARE FOR THE ELDERLY INCLUDES BOTH RESIDENTIAL AND SOCIAL CARE.

+THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE IS TO PROMOTE THE PHYSICAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL WELL-BEING OF THE ELDERLY WITH THE RECOGNITION THAT THEY HAVE A FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT TO SELF-DETERMINATION, INDIVIDUALITY AND HUMAN DIGNITY, SHE SAID.

THE CODE REPRESENTS A CULMINATION OF EFFORTS BY A WORKING PARTY THAT COMPRISED REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE AND THE ASSOCIATION OF PRIVATE HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY.

IT INCLUDES GUIDELINES ON GIVING NOTIFICATION TO THE DEPARTMENT, MANAGEMENT, ACCOMMODATION AND SPACE REQUIREMENTS SAFETY AND FIRE PRECAUTIONS, STAFFING, HEALTH AND CARE SERVICES, EQUIPMENT AND FURNITURE, AND SOCIAL CARE.

COPIES OF THE CODE, IN CHINESE AND ENGLISH, WILL BE SENT TO ALL IDENTIFIED OPERATORS OF PRIVATE HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY AND THE ASSOCIATION OF PRIVATE HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY.

MRS DOE SAID THAT STAFF FROM THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO MAKE LIAISON VISITS TO THE HOMES AND THEY WOULD TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLAIN TO THE OPERATORS THE DETAILS OF THE CODE.

PEOPLE INTENDING TO OPERATE PRIVATE HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY SHOULD NOTIFY THE DEPARTMENT BEFORE STARTING SERVICE SO THAT OFFICERS CAN GIVE THEM GUIDANCE ABOUT THE CODE. NOTIFICATION FORMS WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM THE DEPARTMENT'S 13 DISTRICT OFF İÇES.

AFTER ONE YEAR, A REVIEW WILL BE CARRIED OUT TO ASSESS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE CODE AND TO DETERMINE WHETHER STRONGER MEASURES ARE REQUIRED TO REGULATE THE OPERATION OF HOMES.

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