Author Archives: hksar gov

     A Government spokesman announced today (February 23) that the supply of fresh food from the Mainland remained largely steady yesterday (February 22).      According to the latest information, th… read more

     Following is a question by the Hon Elizabeth Quat and a written reply by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong, in the Legislative Council today (February 23):
 
Question:

     It is learnt that some persons with disabilities and elderly persons have lost self-care abilities and require intensive care from their family members. However, the gravity of the problem of population ageing in Hong Kong has given rise to the situations of “the elderly taking care of the elderly” and “the disabled taking care of the disabled”. There have even been incidents of family tragedies resulting from carers overloaded with stress. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) of the current total number of public service centres and service centres operated by non-governmental organisations in Hong Kong which provide services such as nursing care training and emotional support for carers (set out in a table); whether it has assessed if such services can meet the demand;
 
(2) given that many social welfare service providers have been suspending or providing only limited services amid the epidemic, many carers who lack nursing knowledge have to take constant care of their family members and are thus subject to heavy financial burden and mental pressure, whether the Government will expeditiously provide them with special support and referral services; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
 
(3) of the progress made by the consultants commissioned by the authorities in conducting the “Consultancy study on needs and support required of carers of elderly persons and of persons with disabilities in Hong Kong”; whether it will make public the outcome of the study and submit the relevant report to this Council for discussion;
 
(4) as there are comments pointing out that quite a number of carers are unable to benefit from the “Pilot Scheme on Living Allowance for Carers of Elderly Persons from Low-income Families” and the “Pilot Scheme on Living Allowance for Low-income Carers of Persons with Disabilities” introduced by the Government under the Community Care Fund because of the schemes’ limited places offered, high application thresholds imposed and insufficient amounts of allowance disbursed, whether the Government will enhance the schemes and introduce a flat-rate or reimbursement-based transport subsidy, so as to alleviate carers’ financial pressure; and
 
(5) whether it will consider afresh setting up a comprehensive carer support system whereby care service agreements based on carers’ needs are formulated by the Government, relevant service organisations and carers, so that carers can receive professional support and monthly subsidies, enjoy rest days, etc., as a recognition of their devotion and contribution?
 
Reply:
 
President,
 
     My reply to the question raised by the Hon Elizabeth Quat is as follows:
 
(1) The Social Welfare Department (SWD) provides “centre-based” subsidies for service units to provide community support services to carers of frail elderly persons and persons with disabilities. Examples of the services include caring skills training, emotional support and counselling, lending of rehabilitation aids and assisting carers to set up mutual-support groups to foster experience sharing and mutual support. The numbers of these centres are as follows: 
 

Service Target	Services	Number of Centres
Elderly persons and their carers	District Elderly Community Centre	41
	Neighbourhood Elderly Centre	171
Persons with disabilities and their carers	District Support Centre for Persons with Disabilities (DSC)	16
	Parents / Relatives Resource Centre	19
	Social and Recreational Centre for the Disabled	16
	Support Centre for Persons with Autism	5

 
     As at the end of September 2021, there were around 218 600 members and around 40 400 users receiving services from the centres providing services to elderly persons and their carers, and to persons with disabilities and their carers respectively. The SWD will review the needs of service users from time to time with a view to providing them with appropriate services.
 
(2) Having balanced their users’ needs and the risk of spreading epidemic in the community, the above service centres will make suitable adjustments. Specifically, for avoiding increased risks of infection arising from gatherings of service users, the centres will maintain part of their services in light of the epidemic situation, e.g. switching to online means of conducting activities. These centres will also make phone calls to comfort service users, understand their conditions and welfare needs, and provide counselling and refer them to appropriate services as needed. 

     In addition, Day Care Centres / Units for the Elderly, the DSCs and Community Rehabilitation Day Centres will continue to provide some day care services (e.g. nursing care, rehabilitation and personal care services) to frail elderly persons and persons with severe disabilities. Home care services for elderly persons and persons with disabilities, including escort, nursing care, administration of medicine and personal hygiene services, will also continue.
 
(3), (4) and (5) The Government has commissioned a consultant to conduct a study on support for carers to comprehensively look into the needs and support required by carers of frail elderly persons and persons with disabilities. The study will also explore how government resources deployed could be consolidated (including the Pilot Scheme on Living Allowance for Carers of Elderly Persons from Low-income Families and the Pilot Scheme on Living Allowance for Low-income Carers of Persons with Disabilities), with a view to providing support for carers of frail elderly persons and persons with disabilities more effectively. 

     The consultant is now consolidating and analysing the data and views collected. Upon completion of the study, we will brief stakeholders (including the relevant Panel of the Legislative Council) on the recommendations of the study in due course. read more

     Hong Kong Customs today (February 23) alerted members of the public to potential scalding hazards posed by one model of a hot water bottle.

     Customs earlier conducted a test-buy operation on three models of hot water bottles from retailers in the market for safety testing according to relevant European standards. Test results revealed that the seams of one of the models could break and pose a risk of scalding.

     A prohibition notice was served on the retailer concerned, prohibiting the continued sale of the relevant hot water bottle. An investigation is ongoing.

     Customs reminds members of the public to observe the following safety tips when using hot water bottle products:

• Check hot water bottles carefully every time before use, and stop using them immediately if there is any sign of damage in the seams;
• Firmly hold the neck of the hot water bottle and retain its vertical position. Pour hot water with caution slowly to avoid overflow;
• Do not pour boiling water (100 degrees Celsius) into the hot water bottle;
• Do not pour hot water up to the bottle neck level, considerable space should be left; and
• Do not fold the hot water bottle.

     Customs is committed to the protection of consumer interests and regularly conducts spot checks and safety tests on consumer goods to ensure that they are reasonably safe for use by consumers.

     Under the Consumer Goods Safety Ordinance, it is an offence to supply, manufacture or import into Hong Kong consumer goods unless the goods comply with the general safety requirements for consumer goods. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for one year on first conviction, and $500,000 and imprisonment for two years on subsequent conviction.
     â€‹
     Members of the public with information relating to unsafe consumer goods may make a report via Customs’ 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:      During the winter surge, the Hospital Authority closely monitors the service demand of Accident and Emergency Departments and the occupancy rates in public ho… read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (February 23) reminded the public, particularly the elderly and people with chronic illnesses, to adopt appropriate measures to protect their health in view of the cold weather.

     A spokesman for the CHP said that cold weather can easily trigger or exacerbate diseases, especially among the elderly and persons suffering from heart disease, respiratory illness or other chronic illnesses.

     “Elderly people have less insulating fat beneath their skin to keep them warm and their body temperature control mechanism may be weaker. Their body may not be able to appropriately respond to the cold weather,” the spokesman said.

     Some senior persons may have decreased mobility, which can in turn slow down their ability to generate and conserve body heat. Chronic illnesses, such as hypertension, diabetes and endocrine disorders, may undermine the health of elderly people and lower their metabolic rate, subsequently causing their body to generate less heat.

     The CHP reminded the public, in particular the elderly and persons with chronic illnesses, to adopt the following preventive measures:
 

• Take note of the weather forecast. Wear warm clothing, including hats, scarves, gloves and socks accordingly;
• Consume sufficient food to ensure adequate calorie intake;
• Perform regular exercise to facilitate blood circulation and heat production;
• Stay in a warm environment and avoid prolonged outdoor exposure;
• Use heaters with care, and maintain adequate indoor ventilation; and
• Seek medical advice if feeling unwell.

     In addition, the public should avoid alcoholic beverages.

     “Drinking alcohol cannot keep you warm. Alcohol accelerates the loss of body heat through dilated blood vessels, resulting in chilling instead,” the spokesman said.

     “Parents should ensure that babies are sufficiently warm, but it is also important to keep babies lightly clothed to avoid overheating them,” the spokesman added.

     Parents should observe the following safety measures when putting their children to bed:  

• Keep the room well ventilated and at a comfortable temperature;
• Always place babies on their back to sleep. Leave their head, face and arms uncovered during sleep;
• Babies do not need pillows. Place babies on a firm and well-fitted mattress to sleep. Avoid soft objects, pillows and loose bedding;
• Let babies sleep in a cot placed in the parents’ room and near their bed; and
• Maintain a smoke-free environment.

 
     In addition, seasonal influenza vaccination is recommended for all persons aged 6 months or above except those with known contraindications. Persons at higher risk of getting influenza and its complications, including the elderly and children, should receive seasonal influenza vaccination early. Please see details of the vaccination schemes on the CHP’s website.
      
     A person who gets influenza and COVID-19 at the same time may be more seriously ill and would have a higher risk of death. Influenza vaccination may reduce the likelihood of hospitalisation and the length of stay. It is important to receive both seasonal influenza vaccination and COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible, in particular for elderly persons residing in the community or residential care homes. The public should also maintain good personal and environmental hygiene against respiratory illnesses and note the following:
 

• Surgical masks can prevent transmission of respiratory viruses from ill persons. It is essential for persons who are symptomatic (even if having mild symptoms) to wear a surgical mask;
• Wear a surgical mask when taking public transport or staying in crowded places. It is important to wear a mask properly, including performing hand hygiene before wearing and after removing a mask;
• Avoid touching one’s eyes, mouth and nose;
• Wash hands with liquid soap and water properly whenever possibly contaminated;
• When hands are not visibly soiled, clean them with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub;
• Cover the mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissue paper properly into a lidded rubbish bin, and wash hands thoroughly afterwards;
• Maintain good indoor ventilation;
• When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, refrain from work or attending classes at school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly; and
• Maintain a balanced diet, exercise regularly, take adequate rest, do not smoke and avoid overstress.

    
     Food-borne diseases, particularly those linked to hot pot cuisine, are also common in cold weather. The following preventive measures should be taken:
 

• Wash hands before handling and consuming food;
• Do not patronise unlicensed vendors or those with poor hygienic standards while selecting food;
• Wash and cook all food thoroughly;
• Vegetables should be washed thoroughly in clean running water before cooking and consumption. When appropriate, scrub vegetables with hard surfaces with a clean brush to remove dirt and substances, including pesticide residues and contaminants, from the surface and crevices;
• Shrimps should be fully cooked until the shells turn red and the flesh turns white and opaque;
• For shellfish like scallops and geoduck, scrub the shells thoroughly and remove internal organs;
• Most hot pot ingredients should be stored in a refrigerator at 4 degrees Celsius or below, while frozen food should be stored in a freezer at -18 degrees C or below;
• Never use raw eggs as a dipping sauce for hot pot; and
• Use different sets of chopsticks to handle raw and cooked food to avoid cross-contamination.

     In addition, the public should not use charcoal as a cooking fuel in poorly ventilated areas, especially indoors, to avoid harmful exposure to carbon monoxide (CO) and prevent CO poisoning. While using other kinds of fuel, the public should also ensure adequate ventilation.

     For more health information, the public may call the DH’s Health Education Infoline (2833 0111) or visit the CHP’s website and Facebook Fanpage.

     The public may also call Dial-a-Weather (1878 200) or visit the website of the Hong Kong Observatory for the latest weather information and forecast, or its page on Weather Information for Senior Citizens. read more