Spotlight：Welfare for the elderly

[2017.02.15] 發表

【明報專訊】The Old Age Living Allowance (OALA, 長者生活津貼) was introduced in April 2013 as a measure to help elderly people aged 65 or above in need of financial support. In the latest policy address (施政報告) delivered on January 18, Chief Executive C Y Leung proposed to improve the OALA by adding a higher tier of assistance, which will provide a monthly allowance of ＄3,435 per person for elderly people with more financial needs. In addition, the asset limits (資產上限) for the existing allowance will be relaxed. It is expected that around 500,000 elderly people will benefit from the two measures in the first year of their implementation.

(sources: Ming Pao, 2017 Policy Address)

■Game １

Pat and MoMo visit a few singleton elderly with a social worker. They are chatting with Mr Au and his neighbours, Mr But and Mr Chan. With the help of the clues given, can you find out how old the three men are?

“ Mr Au: I'm 84. I'm two years

younger than Mr But.

I'm one year older

than Mr Chan. ”

“ Mr But: I'm not the youngest. Mr Chan and I were born three years apart. Mr Chan is 87. ”

“ Mr Chan: I'm younger than Mr Au. Mr Au is 85. Mr But is three years older than Mr Au. ”

“ Social worker: They are a bit forgetful. Each of the three men said one thing that is incorrect. ”

■Game ２

“ MoMo: What is that device over there? ”

This device is very important for elderly people. It links directly to a calling centre. One may request emergency services by pressing a button on it. It is a device for the P_ _ _ _ _ _ _ E _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ L _ _ _ S _ _ _ _ _ _ (平安鐘).

(Answers on next text)

■English highway﹕measure

A measure is an official action that is done in order to achieve a particular aim.

e.g. We must take safety measures against fire.

■Glossary

assistance (n) 援助

implementation (n) 實施

singleton elderly (n phr) 獨居長者

forgetful (adj) 健忘的