Social Welfare Department enhances support for carers through expanding respite service network for elderly persons
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The Chief Executive announced in the Policy Address this year the expansion of the respite service network so that carers can take short breaks or attend to personal matters for temporary relief.
Starting from today, about 140 private residential care homes for the elderly under the Enhanced Bought Place Scheme will, on top of residential respite services, provide day respite services for needy elderly persons in the community when vacant residential care places are available. Subsidised Day Care Centres/Units for the Elderly will continue to provide day respite service for elderly persons.
Upon implementation of the new initiative, the service points of day respite services for the elderly will significantly increase from about 50 to about 190; the number of service places will increase from about 260 to over 500 to cover all districts in Hong Kong. The new initiative will provide more support for elderly persons, their family members and/or carers in a comprehensive manner.
Needy elderly persons and their carers may:
- call the Designated Hotline for Carer Support 182 183 for social workers to assist in arranging and matching respite services;
- apply directly via the residential care homes/centres/units providing day respite services for the elderly; or
- request referrals from Integrated Family Service Centres/Integrated Services Centres, Medical Social Services Units, or elderly service units (e.g. District Elderly Community Centres and Neighbourhood Elderly Centres).
Details are available at the SWD website: www.swd.gov.hk/en/pubsvc/elderly/cat_careersupp/drrr/dayrespite/.
In addition, starting from October this year, about 20 residential care homes for persons with disabilities (RCHDs) under the Bought Place Scheme for Private RCHDs are providing day respite services for persons with disabilities in the community when there are vacant residential respite care places. Family members/carers may:
- call the Designated Hotline for Carer Support 182 183 for social workers to assist in arranging and matching respite services;
- apply directly to the RCHDs concerned; or
- request referrals from Integrated Family Services Centres/Integrated Services Centres, Medical Social Services Units, special schools or rehabilitation service units.
Details are available at the SWD website: www.swd.gov.hk/en/pubsvc/rehab/cat_supportcom/othersupport/2respites/.
Ends/Friday, December 1, 2023
Issued at HKT 14:00
Issued at HKT 14:00
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