XN000022-1986-11-12 — Page 19

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1986

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NEW PROGRAMME REQUIRED TO MEET PRACTICAL NEEDS

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THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD RECONSIDER ITS OVERALL CONCEPT OF PROVIDING SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY IN THE LIGHT OF EXISTING RESOURCES AND PRODUCE A NEW PROGRAMME THAT WOULD BE ABLE TO MEET ELDERLY PEOPLE'S PRACTICAL NEEDS, THE HON LIU LIT-FOR SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

SPEAKING IN THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON CARE AND SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY, HE SAID THAT, FIRSTLY, MORE FUNDS SHOULD BE ALLOCATED FOR PROVISION OF SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY.

NOTING THAT THE POLICY ON FUND ALLOCATION FOR SERVICES WAS FORMULATED SEVEN YEARS AGO, MR LIU SAID IT APPEARED SUPPLY COULD NOT MEET DEMAND.

+AS A RESULT, THERE IS STILL A FAIRLY SERIOUS SHORTAGE OF FACILITIES SUCH AS COMMUNITY CENTRES, CARE AND ATTENTION HOMES AND HOSPITAL BEDS FOR THE AGED, HE SAID.

SECONDLY, MR LIU FELT THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD GIVE MORE FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT TO VOLUNTARY AGENCIES WHICH HAD ALL ALONG BEEN PLAYING AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN PROVIDING WELFARE SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY.

HE SAID THAT IF INCREASING NUMBERS OF AGED PEOPLE WERE NOT PROPERLY TAKEN CARE OF, THE SITUATION WOULD DEVELOP INTO A SOCIAL PROBLEM.

+ IN THIS RESPECT, I FULLY SUPPORT THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND THE RELEVANT VOLUNTARY AGENCIES IN THEIR EFFORTS TO PROMOTE FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION, HE SAID.

ONLY THROUGH GOOD FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION COULD THE PUBLIC APPRECIATE THE CONTRIBUTION THAT THE ELDERLY HAD MADE TO SOCIETY AND THUS ATTACH MORE IMPORTANCE TO PROMOTION OF THEIR WELL-BEING, HE SAID.

MR LIU SAID HE REGARDED AS MEANINGFUL THE SOCIAL SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES ORGANISED FOR THE ELDERLY BY SCHOOL STUDENTS. THESE ACTIVITIES SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED.

HE ALSO URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO RECONSIDER THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A PREFERENTIAL SCHEME UNDER WHICH THE ELDERLY WOULD BE ENTITLED TO USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT, CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES FREE OF CHARGE OR AT A SPECIAL RATE.

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