The elderly, people with disabilities and children need care, but the situation of caregivers has been less of a concern.
The Carers Forum was held today (11th). Legislative Councillors Di Zhiyuan, Wu Kitzhuang and Lin Suwei listened to the voices of various groups on the spot. The Deputy Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Ho Kai-ming, attended the forum, expressing that he was aware of the current temporary care services The overall number is not enough, and the uneven distribution leads to a huge difference in utilization rate. We have also noticed that the public is more concerned about the carer allowance, and will collect relevant opinions to further explore the problem.
The Carers Forum was held today (11th) to discuss various support for carers.
(Photo by Li Zetong)
Advocate for a comprehensive and targeted policy for carers
Lin Suwei, a social worker, said that the government should pay attention to the caregiver policy and hope that the Labour and Welfare Bureau can establish a definition of caregivers in order to adjust the financial support for different caregivers.
The platform for carers and carers also believes that the government should establish a clear definition of carers. In addition to caring for the elderly and people with disabilities, other carers must also be defined, including those who take care of young children and children with special needs, etc., through simple identity registration Procedures that give carers a basic identity affirmation and corresponding allowances.
50% of carers care for 71 hours a week
Chen Xiaoyuan, the chief director of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, pointed out that 50% of Hong Kong carers spend up to 71 hours of care a week, which is higher than that in China, the United Kingdom and the United States. It is hoped that the government will set up a 24-hour support hotline for carers to help the hesitant. Helpless carers provide emotional counseling and professional advice, and suggest strengthening community and family support for carers and setting up community support teams for carers.
Lai Peiwei, representative of the Concerned Carers with Disabilities Platform, said that she hoped the government would allow dual identities of carers who are "care for the elderly" and "care for the disabled" to apply for double allowances to recognize the caregivers' efforts.
Chen Ju-ting, chairman of Caritas Elderly Association, believes that the government has not focused on providing appropriate services and comprehensive policies for carers. The threshold for carers' allowances is high, and a large number of families cannot benefit. He also pointed out that the government recommends elderly people to age at home, but the supporting facilities are insufficient. , so that the elderly have nowhere to go for help.
Legislative Council member Di Zhiyuan said that it is currently in the consultation period of the "Policy Address", and he will collect opinions and compile a data set to be distributed to the Labour and Welfare Bureau and all Legislative Council members. and caregiver policy to promote relevant support measures.
He Qiming: Temporary care services are insufficient and unevenly distributed
Ho Kai-ming, Deputy Secretary for Labour and Welfare, pointed out that the Hong Kong Polytechnic University was commissioned earlier to conduct a "Consulting Study on the Needs and Support of Carers of Elderly and Disabled Persons in Hong Kong". There is a huge disparity in regional usage, and some people need to use services across regions.
He said that he would collect the opinions of the forum, further discuss the issues, and consider relevant policies such as door-to-door respite care services, car discounts for carers, and Octopus for carers.
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80-year-old Weng of Lok Man New Village was arrested for manslaughter of his wife, the Federation urged the government to implement the carer-oriented policy, respite care services to support the elderly's rehabilitation, help the carers to relieve stress
