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The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, visited two care and attention homes run by the Asia Women's League Limited in Kowloon Tong this afternoon (August 12) to gain a better understanding of the care and service needs of the elderly residents there.
Accompanied by the Chairman of the Asia Women's League Limited, Mrs Fok Tsang Shou-ying, Mr Cheung first visited the AWL Chan Kwun Tung Care and Attention Home for the Elderly and was briefed by the staff on the facilities provided there. He also observed the provision of physiotherapy and occupational therapy services. Subsidised by the Social Welfare Department (SWD), the home commenced operation in 1987 and provides nursing, care and attention as well as elderly home places, with an admission of some 150 elderly people at present.
Mr Cheung then visited the AWL Ho Leung Kit Ting Care and Attention Home for the Elderly, which is also subsidised by the SWD. During a chat with elderly people participating in a learning class, Mr Cheung listened as the senior citizens discussed their daily experience in the care and attention home.
This home started operation in 1998. Currently, there are more than 110 elderly residents.
Mr Cheung noted that the Government has all along been attaching importance to the well-being of the elderly. In the past five years, the recurrent government expenditure on the provision of elderly services increased over 40 per cent from $3.8 billion to $5.4 billion. In 2014-15, the estimated recurrent expenditure on elderly services rose to more than $6.2 billion, up 15 per cent over the figure for the previous financial year.
"Ageing in place as the core, institutional care as backup" is the Government's elderly care policy objective. While enhancing subsidised community care services, the Government also spares no efforts in the provision of subsidised care places for the elderly. At present, the SWD has earmarked sites in 11 development projects for the construction of residential care homes for the elderly. According to preliminary estimates, about 1 200 care places can be provided in these new homes. In addition, the Government has launched the Special Scheme on Privately Owned Sites for Welfare Uses. Under the current estimation, if the proposals submitted by the welfare organisations under the scheme can all be implemented, about 17 000 additional care places for the elderly and persons with disabilities will be in place in five to 10 years. Of these, 9 000 will be elderly care places with 7 000 being care home places and 2 000 community care places.
Ends/Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Issued at HKT 18:27
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