ENG-2015 — Page 208

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Social Welfare

The department also supports 210 elderly centres, including District Elderly Community Centres and Neighbourhood Elderly Centres, and a holiday centre for the elderly. By the end of 2015, the Lotteries Fund Advisory Committee had approved about $506 million for 147 elderly centres. Upgrading work on 80 centres had also been completed under an Improvement Programme of Elderly Centres launched in 2012 to enhance the conditions and facilities of 237 elderly centres within six years.

Residential Care Services

At the year end, there were 26,763 subsidised residential care places, including 67 at homes for the aged; 23,086 at care-and-attention places, of which 7,999 were purchased from private residential care homes for the elderly (RCHES); and 3,610 at nursing homes, of which 242 were purchased from self-financing nursing homes.

RCHES are licensed under the Residential Care Homes (Elderly Persons) Ordinance. The department monitors and improves their services by providing practice guidelines and staff training to ensure elderly residents receive proper care.

Pilot Residential Care Services Scheme in Guangdong

A Pilot Residential Care Services Scheme in Guangdong gives eligible elderly people on the Central Waiting List for subsidised care-and-attention places the option of living in two elderly homes in Shenzhen and Zhaoqing that are run by Hong Kong NGOs. At the year end, 98 elderly people chose to live in these two homes.

Pilot Scheme on Living Allowance for Carers of the Elderly Persons from Low Income Families

A Pilot Scheme on Living Allowance for Carers of the Elderly Persons from Low Income Families, rolled out under the Community Care Fund in June 2014, aims to provide 2,000 such carers with a living allowance to supplement their living expenses so elderly people in need of long-term care services may, with their carers' help, receive proper care to enable them to remain living in the community.

Services for Persons with Disabilities

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.

Services for Children with Special Needs

At the year end, there were 1,980 integrated programme places in kindergarten-cum-child care centres; 1,775 places in special child care centres, including 110 residential places; and 3,070 places in early education and training centres for children with special needs. In addition, 64 places in small group homes were provided for mildly mentally handicapped children who could not receive adequate care from their families.

Children on a waiting list of subvented pre-school rehabilitation services can apply for a means- tested Training Subsidy Programme to acquire self-financing training services provided by

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