XN000022-1994-10-21 — Page 5

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1994

REPORT OF WORKING GROUP ON CARE FOR ELDERLY RELEASED

THE WORKING GROUP ON CARE FOR THE ELDERLY, WHICH WAS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR, RELEASED ITS REPORT TODAY (FRIDAY).

THE WORKING GROUP, CHAIRED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, LISTED 71 RECOMMENDATIONS IN ITS REPORT TARGETED AT IMPROVING SERVICES AND BENEFITS FOR THE ELDERLY.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT IN THE POLICY COMMITMENTS RELEASED ON OCTOBER 5, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE HAD COMMITTED ΤΟ IMPLEMENT THE WORKING GROUP'S RECOMMENDATIONS WHICH HAD THE FOLLOWING KEY OBJECTIVES:

* TO PROVIDE A NETWORK OF CARE FOR THE ELDERLY;

TO ASSIST ELDERLY PERSONS TO LIVE IN THE COMMUNITY WITH DIGNITY FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE;

TO PROVIDE A RANGE OF COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES FOR ELDERLY PERSONS AND THEIR CARERS;

TO PROVIDE A RANGE OF RESIDENTIAL CARE FOR THOSE ELDERLY PERSONS WHO CANNOT BE CARED FOR AT HOME.

THE SPOKESMAN OUTLINED THE MAJOR RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE REPORT AS FOLLOWS:

*

TO ESTABLISH AN ELDERLY SERVICES DIVISION UNDER THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH TO CO-ORDINATE AND OVERSEE THE OVERALL POLICY ON CARING FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE;

FUND OF $200 ORGANISATIONS

TO SET UP AN ELDERLY SERVICES DEVELOPMENT MILLION TO PROVIDE GRANTS TO NON-GOVERNMENTAL TO HELP THEM IMPLEMENT NON-PROFIT-MAKING SELF-FINANCING WELFARE PROJECTS FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE;

TO IMPROVE SERVICES PROVIDED BY DAY CENTRES AND SOCIAL CENTRES;

*

TO EXPAND HOME HELP SERVICES;

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TO CONDUCT A STUDY OF THE RESIDENTIAL CARE AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT NEEDS OF ELDERLY PEOPLE IN HONG KONG;

TO MOBILISE ELDERLY PEOPLE TO BECOME VOLUNTEERS THEMSELVES, AND RECRUIT MORE VOLUNTEERS TO WORK IN ELDERLY SERVICES; AND

TO FORM FOUR ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY GERIATRIC TEAMS AND FOUR ADDITIONAL PSYCHOGERIATRIC TEAMS.

THE WORKING GROUP HAS ALSO ENDORSED THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE AD HOC COMMITTEE ON HOUSING FOR THE ELDERLY.

/"WE INTEND