Replies to LegCo questions

LCQ17: Housing for Senior Citizens

Following is a question by the Hon Chan Yuen-han and a written reply by the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong, in the Legislative Council today (October 30):

Question:

I have learnt that an elderly tenant of the hostel-type Housing for Senior Citizens ("HSC") provided by the Housing Authority ("HA"), whose memory was deteriorating with age, had failed to turn up at the office of the Social Security Field Unit ("SSFU") at the specified time to complete the formalities required for continuous release of Comprehensive Social Security Assistance ("CSSA") payments, thus resulting in the SSFU concerned withholding his/her CSSA payments for a period of time. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(a) whether it has measures to improve the existing service to prevent recurrence of similar incidents; if so, of the details;

(b) whether the health condition of elderly tenants of HSC flats is kept in view by any government department or non-governmental organisation; if so, of the responsible department or organisation; if not, whether resources will be allocated for the provision of such service; and

(c) of the duties of wardens of hostel-type HSC?

Reply :

Madam President,

Given the limited information available to us regarding the case mentioned in the question, we are not in a position to comment on the specifics of the case. We will therefore give a general reply to the various parts of the question.

(a) CSSA cases are required to be reviewed regularly so as to establish the recipient's continued eligibility for assistance. Reviews are normally conducted at intervals of six months to three years, depending on the nature of the case. As the case nature of single elderly recipient is normally quite stable, these cases are not subject to a regular review. Instead, an annual random check of such cases will be conducted. In the course of the random check, if an elderly recipient cannot be reached by telephone, further efforts would be made by Social Welfare Department (SWD) staff to contact the recipient through home visits. The CSSA payment will only be stopped when it is clearly established that the recipient cannot be contacted. SWD reviews internal procedures both in the light of experience and periodically so as to improve the existing service.

For vulnerable elders, SWD's social workers will, upon referrals, e.g. by the Housing Department or SWD's Social Security Field Units (SSFUs), or through the elders' own approach, visit them (including those living in HSC), contact their family members or relatives, arrange an assessment of the elder's needs and devise an individual care plan. In the event that the elder is identified to have symptoms of senile dementia or other psychological problems, a social worker will arrange for him/her to receive psychiatric assessment and appropriate follow up treatment. For those elders applying for CSSA who are certified by medical officers to be unfit to complete the necessary application procedures, the social worker will assist in recommending a trust-worthy relative to act as the elder's appointee. Where no such person can be identified, a social worker can act as the appointee for the elder, complete the application procedure, and subsequently manage the elder's CSSA payment to meet his/her daily living needs pursuant to the Director of Social Welfare Incorporation Ordinance (Cap. 1096).

(b) SWD and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) provide a wide range of support services to elders, including those living in HSC, to meet their needs. Such major services including the following -

(i) Elderly Service

* Various kinds of elderly support and care services, including home help/home care/enhanced home and community care, carers' support service, day care centres, social centres/multi-service centres for the elderly; and

* The support teams for the elderly (STEs), through outreaching and referrals, provide services to vulnerable elders living alone, with limited social network, in poor health or with financial difficulties. Vulnerable elders will receive emotional support, introduction to community resources and simple personal assistance by the STEs. If necessary, needy elders can be referred for formal services. As at September 2002, 37 support teams for the elderly operate throughout the territory.

(ii) Family Service

* There is also an extensive network of 66 family services centres/integrated family service centers, which serve the welfare needs of local residents, including elders residing in HSC. Social workers in these centres can also arrange for appropriate care services, e.g. residential care and community care services, for the elders according to their assessed care needs.

(c) HSC is provided with warden service to look after the management of the shared facilities in the hostel, and to maintain a satisfactory living and social environment for the tenants. A warden's main duties include ensuring the effective management and cleanliness of the shared facilities, and the satisfactory functioning of building services systems. He is also expected to pay attention to the tenants' general well-being and their adaptation to the living environment. Where necessary, the warden may also provide advice to tenants on their medical and welfare service needs, and assist in dealing with emergencies and accidents (see Annex).

Annex

Description of Main Duties of Warden of Housing for Senior Citizens

1. To be responsible for overseeing the order, cleanliness and the work of staff of the Housing for Senior Citizen.

2. To ensure the proper functioning of all systems including electricity, water, gas supply, drainage, fire fighting and other ancillary equipment in the Housing for Senior Citizen.

3. To promote co-operation among inmates in using the facilities of the Housing for Senior Citizen.

4. To attend to the general well-being of inmates such as assisting them to adjust to the new environment after moving in, and to give advice on medical or welfare services when necessary.

5. To assist in settling domestic disputes, within reasonable limits, amongst inmates and to maintain a harmonious relationship with inmates.

6. To ensure that house rules made by the Department are observed by inmates, to give verbal advice or warning, and to report difficult cases to the Housing Officer for further action where necessary.

7. To deal with emergencies and accidents (particularly after normal office hours) and to inform inmates' next-of-kin where necessary.

8. To ensure safe custody of all inventory items and stores.

9. To keep a system of records in respect of all inmates in the Housing for the Senior Citizen.

10. To encourage participation of the inmates in social, recreational and other related activities organized by voluntary agencies.

11. To perform any other duties assigned by senior officers.

End/Wednesday, October 30, 2002
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