XN000022-1996-05-01 — Page 33

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Clinics under the Department of Health and public hospitals are well-geared to deal with crisis situations, whether this occurs in the elderly population or in the general community. Again arising from the recent cold spell, consideration is being given to enhancing the public health programmes to promote public awareness for the The sort of care needed for the elderly during extreme weather conditions. Department of Health is considering the best way to step up its health education and information materials to elderly persons living in the community through social centres and public housing estates. The Department has also launched a Health Ambassador Programme for the Elderly, the main objective of which is to disseminate health messages amongst the elderly community. I agree with the Hon Michael Ho's suggestion that we need to devise more innovative schemes to promote health education for elderly persons.

For those elderly whose health condition does not allow them to remain at home, a full range of residential care services are provided to meet their varying needs. They range from self-care hostels for those who are still capable of self-care but require certain support in their daily living; to care-and-attention homes which provide personal care and limited nursing care to elderly persons; and to infirmaries where intensive medical and nursing care are given. As at 31 March 1996, there are 19 665 subvented residential care places for the elderly. This represents a 30% increase in such places over the last three years.

In his 1993 Policy Address, the Governor announced the introduction of a new nursing home service for the elderly. It provides medical and nursing care as well as residential care to those elderly who have lost personal care ability and whose medical conditions, while stabilised, still require regular medical attention. There are six nursing homes under planning with a total provision of 1 400 beds. Four of them will be completed in 1997 and two more will be completed by 1998.

On temporary accommodation and emergency placements, we provide to elderly people urgently in need of accommodation while awaiting other long-term placements. Such facilities are either in places of subvented residential care homes or in emergency shelters run by Government or non-governmental organisations. In addition, places are reserved in temporary shelters and hostels for single persons to meet the special needs of elderly people at risk.

Despite the continuous increase in the provision of residential services, the waiting time for residential places still remains an issue of great concern. Strenuous efforts are being made to shorten the waiting time. These include the following: