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The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, visited the Hong Kong Jockey Club Helping Hand Zhaoqing Home for the Elderly in Zhaoqing, Guangdong, today (September 17) to see the care services provided to elderly residents from Hong Kong.
During a tour of the aged home accompanied by the Chairman of the Executive Committee of Helping Hand, Mrs Johanna Arculli, Mr Cheung was briefed on the various residential options for elderly people with different levels of care needs and the diversified facilities there. The home started operation in 2001 and is currently accommodating some 100 elderly residents from both Hong Kong and the Mainland.
During the visit, some elderly residents from Hong Kong shared with Mr Cheung their considerations in choosing to retire in this Zhaoqing aged home including the living environment, facilities and affordability.
Mr Cheung also took the opportunity to introduce to them the Guangdong Scheme, which will be implemented on October 1. Under the Scheme, eligible Hong Kong elderly people will receive the monthly Old Age Allowance of $1,135 without the need to return to Hong Kong each year. The Social Welfare Department had already received about 11 000 applications up to yesterday (September 16).
While touring the aged home, Mr Cheung presented gift packs to the elderly residents and extended to them an early Mid-Autumn Festival greeting.
Afterwards, Mr Cheung visited the Gaoyao People's Hospital nearby to understand how the hospital co-operates with the Hong Kong Jockey Club Helping Hand Zhaoqing Home for the Elderly to provide medical services to the aged home's residents.
The Director of Social Welfare, Ms Carol Yip, also took part in today's visit. They are returning to Hong Kong tonight.
Ends/Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Issued at HKT 16:57
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