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SLW encourages active ageing (with photos)
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     The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, visited an elderly centre in Tsuen Wan this afternoon (January 10) where he shared the concept of active ageing with the elderly members and encouraged them to express views on areas of their interest during the Public Engagement Exercise on Population Policy.

     In a visit to the Tsuen Wan District Elderly Community Centre operated by the Hong Kong Society for the Aged (SAGE), Mr Cheung said he was pleased to learn from the centre management about the wide-ranging services and activities provided to enable the elderly to interact and communicate with each other. Mr Cheung also watched a drama performance by elderly members. He noted with interest how the centre helped the elderly members stay healthy both physically and psychologically through encouraging them to participate in art learning activities.

     In a chat with elderly members, Mr Cheung said he was glad to hear how they enjoyed life after retirement by developing their interests and actively participating in community activities. He said they had fully demonstrated the spirit of "fostering a sense of worth among elders" and "active ageing". He encouraged the elders to continue contributing to society with their knowledge and wealth of experience so as to lead an even more wonderful and enriched life.

     Mr Cheung also took the opportunity to view with the centre members a mini-film, "Stage for the Aged", recently produced by the Steering Committee on Population Policy. The mini-film highlights the theme of Phase 3 of the Population Policy Public Engagement Exercise - the promotion of active ageing and fostering of a supportive environment for Hong Kong people to raise children. Noting that the theme should be closely related to the interests of the elders, Mr Cheung encouraged the elderly members to express more views before the consultation period ends on February 23 this year.

     To encourage more elderly citizens to make good use of the elderly centres, the Government has allocated $900 million under the Lotteries Fund to implement a six-year Improvement Programme of Elderly Centres since 2012-13. The aim is to enhance the physical setting and facilities of more than 230 elderly centres throughout the territory in phases. Nine elderly centres operated by SAGE will be renovated under the scheme.

Ends/Friday, January 10, 2014
Issued at HKT 16:33

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