TNAG-0876-FCO40-1086-Development-of-social-welfare-policy-in-Hong-Kong-1979 — Page 219

CONFIDENTIAL

Chapter 4

機密

1

Future Developments in Social Welfare Services

4.1

In direct social welfare services, developments will be

most marked in three areas, namely rehabilitation services for the

disabled, services for the elderly and personal social work among

young people. The Government's plans for rehabilitation services are outlined in the 1977 White Paper "Integrating the Disabled into

the Community: A United Effort". Proposals in respect of services

for the elderly and personal social work among young people are

set out in this chapter which also deals with the general direction

that other major areas of social welfare services will take in the

coming few years.

Services for the Elderly

4.2

The

In common with all other countries, Hong Kong is

experiencing changes in the age structure of its population. percentage of old people aged 60 years and over is expected to increase from the present 9% of total population to nearly 11% by 1986, with

over.

a significantly larger increase in the number of people aged 75 and

Services for the elderly will be expanded on a wide front,

with the objective of promoting the well-being of the elderly through

care in the community and by the community. This concept of care

in the community is well tested in both Western and Asian countries

and has been found to be most effective in meeting the needs of the

elderly.

4.3

To achieve its objectives, the Government's strategy

will be three-fold : firstly, to provide a range of community

services and improved cash benefits that will encourage families to

CONFIDENTIAL

機密