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SLW visits frail elderly people receiving home care support (with photo)
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     The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, visited an elderly couple in Kwun Tong this afternoon (June 24) to understand more about the support rendered to them under a pilot scheme providing home care services for frail elderly people.

     Visiting the couple at their home in Sau Mau Ping Estate, Mr Cheung learned that the husband, aged over 70, had been relying heavily on his wife to take care of him after he suffered from a stroke and other illness.

     Mr Cheung heard that despite the husband's frail condition, the couple were able to stay together at their own home with the home care support. Following referral to join the Pilot Scheme on Home Care Services for Frail Elders, they have been receiving support under a case management approach provided by a cross-discipline support team including social workers, nurses, occupational therapists and physiotherapists.

     "The primary objective of the Government's elderly care policy is to enable and assist elderly persons to live in the community, which is in line with the wishes of many senior citizens," Mr Cheung said.

     "In fact, not every elderly person with long-term care needs requires institutional care if there is adequate community care and support to enable them to stay at home. Therefore, the Government will continue to devote resources to enhancing community care services for the elderly," he added.

     The pilot scheme is one of the latest initiatives to assist senior citizens to continue to live in the community. Under the scheme, tailor-made home care services are provided for severely impaired elderly people on the waiting list for subsidised nursing home places. The new service emphasises rehabilitation and nursing care in order to meet the special needs of users and alleviate pressure on their carers.

     With funding of $55 million from the Lotteries Fund, the three-year pilot scheme was launched on March 1 this year in six districts with relatively large elderly populations, namely Kwun Tong, Wong Tai Sin, Sai Kung, Kowloon City, Yau Tsim Mong and Sham Shui Po. The range of services provided by pilot teams operated by three non-governmental organisations include nursing care, rehabilitation training, home care services, round-the-clock emergency support and training for carers. The scheme is expected to benefit a total of 510 elderly people over the three-year period.

Ends/Friday, June 24, 2011
Issued at HKT 17:25

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