Replies to LegCo questions
LCQ11: Elderly services
Following is a question by the Dr Hon Joseph Lee and a written reply by the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr York Chow, in the Legislative Council today (March 29):
Question:
Will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the number of elderly persons, i.e. persons aged 65 or above, in each
administrative district and its percentage in the elderly population in Hong
Kong, as well as the number of singleton elderly persons in each district;
(b) whether it has identified the elderly persons who are "indigent", if it has,
of the population of such persons at present and a breakdown by districts; if
not, the reasons for that; and
(c) whether it has assessed the respective needs of the elderly in various
districts for medical, health, housing and recreational and sports facilities
and services, and considered formulating regional policies on services for the
elderly and introducing flexible arrangements for resource deployment among
districts, in order to provide cross-District services when necessary; if it
has, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
Madam President,
(a) According to the Census and Statistics Department, there were about 819 000
elders aged 65 or above in Hong Kong in 2004. The distribution of the elderly
population by districts is shown in the Table.
There were about 99 600 singleton elders aged 65 or above in Hong Kong in 2004,
accounting for about 12% of the total elderly population. The distribution of
the singleton elderly population by districts is similar to that of the elderly
population by districts. Kwun Tong, Eastern, Wong Tai Sin, Sham Shui Po and Yuen
Long Districts have the highest number of singleton elders.
(b) We do not have a definition on "indigent" elderly. However, the
Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) Scheme provides a safety net in
the form of financial assistance for those (including elders) who cannot support
themselves financially, to bring their income up to a prescribed level to meet
their basic needs. As at February 2006, about 187 000 elders aged 60 or above
were receiving CSSA. Of the administrative districts demarcated by the District
Social Welfare Offices (DSWOs) of the Social Welfare Department (SWD), Tsuen Wan
& Kwai Tsing, Kwun Tong, and Wong Tai Sin & Sai Kung have the highest number of
CSSA cases involving elders.
(c) In formulating elderly policies, the Government takes into account
demographic changes, the needs of the elders, the development in service
delivery mode and community needs. With increased flexibility in the deployment
of resources, we aim to provide services to those elderly most in need.
Currently, most of the elderly services and facilities can be assessed by elders
territory-wide.
SWD has drawn up the District Welfare Planning Protocol for DSWOs to assess the
welfare needs of their respective districts and conduct district planning. DSWOs
consult relevant Government departments, non-government organisations, District
Councils and local organisations in the districts and mobilize community
resources to render appropriate services and support to elders.
The Housing Authority accords priority to elders in the allocation of public
housing units, and allow elders to choose public housing units in the urban
areas, extended urban areas and the New Territories, with a view to meeting the
housing needs of elders as far as possible.
In view of the ageing population, the Department of Health's Elderly Health
Service and the Hospital Authority have strengthened elderly health education
and services, with due emphasis on multi-disciplinary collaboration, outreaching
and a district-based approach in promoting disease prevention and healthy
lifestyle for elders.
In planning and designing district recreation and sports facilities, the Leisure
and Cultural Services Department has in recent years paid attention to elderly
needs and featured facilities such as areas for tai-chi, pebble walking trails,
and other gymnastic facilities for elders.
Ends/Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Issued at HKT 13:23
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Table to LCQ11