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The Acting Chief Executive, Mr John C Tsang, today (February 19) visited a home help team and two elderly households receiving home care services in Aberdeen to see how the support services help the elderly in the community.
Accompanied by Assistant Director of Social Welfare, Mrs Kathy Ng, Mr Tsang first visited the Aberdeen Kai-fong Welfare Association Social Service Centre to meet a home help team which was preparing to provide outreach service to care for frail elderly living at home.
Mr Tsang chatted with the team members and learned that the team provided a wide range of services to the elderly including care management, escort service, home-making and meal delivery services.
ˇ§Strengthening elderly care is one of our core areas in building a caring community. In his Policy Address the Chief Executive pledged to continue to devote resources to supporting elderly people who live at home,ˇ¨ Mr Tsang said.
Mr Tsang then visited a female elderly singleton living in Shek Pai Wan Estate. The woman applied for home care services after she had a stroke and was confined to a wheelchair. She was subsequently given services such as personal care and rehabilitation exercises. She told Mr Tsang that her mobility had improved and she would like to continue living in the community.
The second household that Mr Tsang visited was that of an elderly couple. The husband suffered from chronic illnesses and used a wheelchair. The couple told Mr Tsang that since the provision of home care services in 2008, they have been provided with whole day meal delivery services, rehabilitation exercises and escort services.
Mr Tsang said he was glad to see that home care services were providing the elderly with a better and safer living environment.
ˇ§Ageing in the community is the wish of most of the elderly. In this regard, the Government will examine ways to strengthen the existing services,ˇ¨ Mr Tsang said.
Mr Tsang gave each of the two households he visited a basket of fruit and wished them health and happiness in the year of the tiger.
Ends/Friday, February 19, 2010
Issued at HKT 12:45
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