ENG-2014 — Page 217

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Social Welfare

The SWD subsidises the Opportunities for the Elderly Project run by community organisations to make life more meaningful for elderly persons. During the year, 276 programmes were subsidised with government grants totalling $4 million.

About 1.56 million Senior Citizen Cards have been issued, allowing elderly persons to enjoy concessions, discounts and priority service provided by various companies, organisations and government departments.

Community Care and Support Services

At year-end, the SWD was supporting 126 service teams (including integrated home care services teams, enhanced home and community care services teams, support teams for the elderly and a home help team) and 70 day care centres or units for the elderly to provide support services for elderly persons living at home. The SWD's Pilot Scheme on Home Care Services for Frail Elders also supports elderly persons and their carers. The SWD's Pilot Scheme on Community Care Service Vouchers for the Elderly allows eligible elderly persons to use the vouchers to choose the services that suit their individual needs. The SWD's various schemes support some 40,300 frail elderly persons.

The SWD also supports 211 elderly centres (including District Elderly Community Centres, Neighbourhood Elderly Centres and Social Centres for the Elderly) and a holiday centre for the elderly. In 2012 the SWD began the Improvement Programme of Elderly Centres to enhance the physical setting and facilities of 237 elderly centres across the territory within six years. By the end of 2014, about $349 million had been approved for 105 elderly centres and work on upgrading 46 centres had been completed.

Residential Care Services

At year-end, there were 26,317 subsidised residential care places in Hong Kong, including 67 home-for-the-aged places, 22,856 care-and-attention places (of which 7,830 were purchased from private residential care homes for the elderly (RCHES)), and 3,394 nursing home places (of which 188 were purchased from self-financing nursing homes).

RCHES are licensed under the Residential Care Homes (Elderly Persons) Ordinance. The SWD monitors and helps improve the services provided by RCHES through the issue of practice guidelines and the provision of staff training to ensure that elderly residents receive proper care.

Rehabilitation Services

To help persons with disabilities integrate into society and fully develop their capabilities, government departments and NGOs provide a variety of rehabilitation services to meet their different needs. These services are co-ordinated by the Commissioner for Rehabilitation on the advice of the Rehabilitation Advisory Committee.

Services for Children with Disabilities

At year-end, there were 1,860 integrated programme places in kindergarten-cum-child care centres, 1,775 places in special child care centres (including 110 residential places), and 2,899 places in early education and training centres for children with disabilities. In addition, 64 places

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