New round of voucher scheme aims to get elderly out
Chief Secretary Eric Chan has described the government’s latest elderly food coupon initiative as a proactive gesture of community care, rather than simply a commercial discount, as the programme prepares to enter its sixth round. Starting September 16, more than 200 elderly centres across Hong Kong will begin distributing discounted meal vouchers to approximately 70,000 beneficiaries. The…
The Hong Kong government's latest elderly food coupon initiative, set to launch on September 16, aims to encourage older individuals to engage more with their community. Over 200 elderly centers across the city will distribute discounted meal vouchers to approximately 70,000 beneficiaries, including individual seniors and couples, with a particular focus on isolated seniors, known as the "hidden elderly."
Each eligible senior will receive eight vouchers, each redeemable for a HK$18 afternoon tea set at various participating catering groups, such as Café de Coral, McDonald's, and KFC. The vouchers are valid from October 1 to November 30. Chief Secretary Eric Chan emphasized the program's growing impact, noting that the number of elderly individuals attending the centers for the vouchers has increased from 15 percent in the first round to about 30 percent in the fifth round.
Chan hopes that these vouchers will serve as an incentive for seniors to step out of their homes and broaden their social connections.
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