Social_Welfare_Annual_Report_1961-1962 — Page 28

among Chinese of respect for, and obligation towards, the aged. But there are always a number of old people without relations in Hong Kong or with families who lack the resources to provide for them, and there has never been enough accommodation for them in the existing Homes for the Aged. It was therefore of great benefit to the community when the Little Sisters of the Poor opened another Home at Aberdeen in December, 1961, designed to house 400 old men and women when fully completed. At the end of the year, the seven existing Homes catered for about 1,100 aged, and the Hong Kong Chinese Christian Churches Union had in hand plans for yet another Home at Wong Tai Sin, while the Sin Tin Toa Home at Sha Tin was in process of expan- sion from 190 to 330. These additions should increase the accommoda- tion for homeless and destitute old people to about 1,750 by 1964.

78. A summary of voluntary organizations and institutions for the physically handicapped and the aged is at Appendix 19.

Miscellaneous

79. The Special Welfare Services Section is responsible for the after- care of persons who attempt suicide. Of the 555 such cases referred after initial investigation by the Relief Section during the year, 391 were found to have more serious or complicated personal problems requiring prolonged follow-up and supervision and therefore passed to the staff of the Mental Welfare Unit, who have a degree of training in this work. These people were given every possible help in coping with these problems, by way of casework, counselling and support in dealing with interpersonal relationships or other social difficulties, assistance in obtaining employment or medical treatment and where necessary, material and financial help.

80. Strong social prejudice makes the task of trying to integrate cured lepers and non-infectious tuberculosis patients into the community a difficult one. At the end of the year there were 431 cured lepers and 207 tubercular patients on the register. Some were given training at North Point Camp, others received vocational training at Tai Hang Tung and a few were found accommodation in resettlement estates. Lutheran World Service also lends valuable aid in this field by admitting non-infectious tubercular patients to vocational rehabilitation classes, by arranging their placement in industry and by assisting them to get established in small businesses. All such cases are kept under regular supervision.

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