TNAG-1151-FCO40-1431-Relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-the-United-Nations-1983 — Page 81

HOFO 020/18

GRS 500

UNCLASSIFIED

TELELETTER

BU 23/6

1/21/6

Notch his 22/6

noted plans 25/6 BU 7 July 7 CHE 25/6

нки 022/3

FROM G T BARNES, SOCIAL SERVICES BRANCH GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT

43

HONG KONG

DATED 18 JUNE 1982

FOLLOWING FOR H. MCQUADE, HK GD FCO

NO

CGE

(29)

See (49)

YOURTEL NO 383 OF 21 MAY: WORLD ASSEMBLY ON AGING.

1. SUGGEST THE FOLLOWING FOR INCLUSION IN DHSS NATIONAL REPORT ON

AGING:

(A) AS IN MANY OTHER COUNTRIES, THE ELDERLY POPULATION IN HONG KONG HAS INCREASED STEADILY IN RECENT YEARS. THE PERCENTAGE OF OLD PEOPLE IN HONG KONG AGED 60 AND OVER IS EXPECTED TO INCREASE FROM THE PRESENT 10 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL POPULATION OF 5.2 MILLION TO ABOUT 12.83 PER CENT OF 5.9 MILLION IN TEN YEARS' TIME. NOT ONLY ARE MORE PEOPLE LIVING LONGER BUT THE AVERAGE AGE OF THE OLDER GENERATION IS EXPECTED TO RISE. THE PHYSICAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE AGING PROCESS IN HONG KONG ARE VERY SIMILAR TO THOSE ELSEWHERE, AND ENTAIL THE REQUIREMENT FOR VARIOUS SERVICES INCLUDING HEALTH, HOUSING, CASH ASSISTANCE, COMMUNITY SUPPORT, INSTITUTIONAL CARE, SOCIAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, TRANSPORT AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES.

(B) THE CONCEPT OF "CARE IN THE COMMUNITY' IS FUNDAMENTAL TO THE PLANNING OF SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY IN HONG KONG. WHETHER ASSISTANCE IS PROVIDED IN THE FORM OF CASH OR THROUGH DIRECT SERVICE, THE OBJECTIVE IS TO PRESERVE AND FOSTER THE ROLE OF THE FAMILY, WHICH REMAINS THE CHIEF SUPPORTER OF THE ELDERLY. ACCORDING

TO THE 1981 POPULATION CENSUS, 85.9 PER CENT OF THE ELDERLY POPULATION (AGED 60 AND OVER) WERE LIVING WITH RELATIVES. A VARIETY OF SOCIAL SERVICES IS THEREFORE PROVIDED TO ENABLE THE

ELDERLY TO REMAIN IN THE COMMUNITY FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE. A

THREE-PRONGED APPROACH IS ADOPTED:

(1) TO PROVIDE A RANGE OF COMMUNITY SERVICES (HOME HELP, MEALS SERVICE, COMMUNITY NURSING, SOOCIAL CENTRES AND DAY CARE CENTRES, AND IMPROVED CASH BENEFITS) IN ORDER THAT FAMILIES SHOULD BE

ENCOURAGED TO LOOK AFTER THEIR ELDERLY MEMBERS OR TO ENABLE OLD

PEOPLE ON THEIR OWN TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE: