******************************************************
The following is issued on behalf of the Housing Authority:
More than 2,000 volunteers brought their warmest regards to about 900 elderly tenants living alone in 58 public rental housing (PRH) estates today (January 16).
The annual event "Volunteer for Seniors Day" was jointly organised by HOPE worldwide and the Housing Authority (HA). This was the fifteenth year that the two organisations arranged volunteers and professional social workers to visit the elderly public housing tenants near Chinese New Year.
Officiating at the kick-off ceremony, the Chairman of the HA, Ms Eva Cheng, thanked HOPE worldwide and other co-organising parties as well as sponsors for their support which helped make the event a success for 15 years in a row.
Ms Cheng said that at present about 40 per cent of the elderly population are residing in PRH. "Ageing in place", an aspiration for most people, is the guiding principle for the government's initiatives for the elderly.
She said that the HA had always in mind the need of the elderly in formulating its policies and in designing PRH. The waiting time for the elderly in applying for PRH had been shortened through enhancement in allocation.
"The elderly and the younger generations are encouraged to take care of each other through our allocation and transfer schemes. Meanwhile, PRH designs are enhanced from time to time to cater for the needs of the elderly so that they would enjoy a safe and convenient living environment."
"As our population is ageing, the HA endeavours to provide and improve facilities in older estates, such as renewing or adding appropriate recreational facilities for the elderly, installing lifts subject to technical and design feasibilities, and providing non-slip floor tiles, handrails and ramps."
During today's home visit, volunteers helped clean and decorate the homes of the elderly in need. They also made use of the chance to promote healthy living and the importance of physical exercise.
Ms Cheng and the Chairman of the Elderly Commission, Dr Leong Chi-hung also visited an elderly tenant in Un Chau Estate and brought along a "fortune bag" containing some daily commodities and a spring scroll by Ms Cheng.
Ends/Sunday, January 16, 2011
Issued at HKT 15:08
NNNN
