XN000022-1990-03-07 — Page 3

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1990

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SERVICES FOR ELDERLY GREATLY IMPROVED IN THE 80'S

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HONG KONG HAS SEEN CONSIDERABLE ADVANCES IN THE PROVISION OF SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR MICHAEL CARTLAND, SAID THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON.

SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE PO LEUNG KUK CHOW HUNG PUI DAY CARE CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY IN TAI KOK TSUI, MR CARTLAND SAID ONE AREA OF IMPROVEMENT WAS MADE IN SOCIAL SECURITY.

"THE QUALIFYING AGE FOR THE OLD AGE ALLOWANCE IS BEING PROGRESSIVELY LOWERED, FROM 70 IN APRIL 1988 TO 66 IN APRIL THIS YEAR AND FURTHER DOWN TO 65 IN APRIL 1991," HE SAID.

"IN ADDITION, A HIGHER DISABILITY ALLOWANCE FOR SEVERELY DISABLED ELDERLY PERSONS REQUIRING CONSTANT ATTENDANCE, WAS INTRODUCED IN APRIL 1988.

"WE HAVE ALSO SEEN OVER THE PAST DECADE A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN THE NUMBERS OF THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF CENTRES PROVIDING SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY," HE CONTINUED.

"SOCIAL CENTRES HAVE INCREASED IN NUMBER FROM 34 TO 106, MULTI- SERVICE CENTRES FROM FOUR TO 15 AND DAY CARE CENTRES FROM TWO ΤΟ EIGHT.

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OUTLINING THE CURRENT POLICY OBJECTIVE OF SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY, MR CARTLAND SAID IT WAS TO PROMOTE THE WELL-BEING OF ELDERLY PERSONS IN ALL ASPECTS OF THEIR LIFE, BY PROVIDING SUPPORT SERVICES THAT WOULD ENABLE THEM TO REMAIN MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE; AND TO THE EXTENT NECESSARY, TO PROVIDE RESIDENTIAL CARE SUITED TO THE VARYING NEEDS OF THE ELDERLY.

"TO ACHIEVE THIS OBJECTIVE, THE GOVERNMENT AND THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR AIM TO PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE SPECTRUM OF SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES FOR ELDERLY PERSONS.

THESE

"IN SO FAR AS COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES ARE CONCERNED, INCLUDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE THROUGH PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCES UNDER THE SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEME, HOME

HELP,

SOCIAL CENTRES, MULTI-SERVICE CENTRES AND DAY CARE CENTRES AS WELL AS A RANGE OF OTHER SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY IN SUCH AREAS AS HOUSING, TRANSPORT, HEALTH AND EMPLOYMENT.

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NOTING THAT ABOUT 12.7 PER CENT OF THE POPULATION ARE AGED 60 AND ABOVE, MR CARTLAND SAID IN FIVE YEARS' TIME, IT WAS PROJECTED THAT THE PERCENTAGE WOULD RISE TO AROUND 14.2 PER CENT.

"CLEARLY THE MEASURES TO BE TAKEN TO MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR SENIOR CITIZENS WILL HAVE TO BE INTENSIFIED, HE SAID.

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MR CARTLAND SAID PREMISES HAD BEEN EARMARKED то PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL 16 DAY CARE CENTRES BY 1994-95 AT WHICH TIME THE PRESENT PLANNING STANDARD WOULD BE FULLY MET.

/HE POINTED