New round of voucher scheme aims to get elderly out

Chief Secretary Eric Chan has announced a new round of the elderly food coupon initiative, describing it as a proactive community care effort rather than a mere commercial discount. The programme, set to launch on September 16, will provide discounted meal vouchers to approximately 70,000 seniors across more than 200 elderly centres in Hong Kong.

The initiative aims to promote social inclusion, particularly for the "hidden elderly" – those who are often isolated. Each eligible senior will receive eight vouchers, valid from October 1 to November 30, which can be exchanged for afternoon tea sets at a subsidized price of HK$18. These vouchers can be redeemed at eight participating catering groups, including Café de Coral, Fairwood, and McDonald's.

Chief Secretary Chan reported that the proportion of elderly persons visiting the centres to collect these vouchers has doubled, from 15 percent in the first round to around 30 percent in the fifth round. This indicates that the program has successfully enticed seniors who previously avoided going out and had limited interaction with community services, encouraging them to broaden their social horizons.