[Hong Kong - 11 April 2024] Senior Citizen Home Safety Association (“SCHSA” or the “Association”) has been designated as the service provider for “Subsidy Scheme for Provision of Emergency Call System Service” (“Subsidy Scheme”) introduced by Social Welfare Department (SWD). From 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026, SCHSA will accept applications from eligible elderly persons and persons with disabilities referred by Care Teams from all 18 districts in Hong Kong.  In addition to providing the emergency support service required by SWD, the Association will proactively enhance the Subsidy Scheme by offering to beneficiaries additional free services including outpatient appointment booking, reminder services, nurse consultations, and care calls. The Subsidy Scheme is expected to benefit up to 4,000 individuals, providing them with emergency call service for 12 months.

Ms. Maura Wong, Chief Executive Officer of SCHSA, said: “Through the Pilot Scheme in Tsuen Wan and Southern District, the Association gained valuable experience in collaborating with Care Teams and providing emergency call service to the beneficiaries. We hope the current Subsidy Scheme can support as many as 4,000 beneficiaries, and SCHSA is committed to provide them with a safety net, enhance support, and reduce their risk of accidents.”

From April 2024 to March 2025, the government implemented the “District Services and Community Care Teams - Pilot Scheme on Supporting for Elderly and Carers” in Tsuen Wan and Southern District.  Care Teams were engaged to help identify households of singleton/doubleton elderly, carers of elderly persons/persons with disabilities in need, providing them with caring and support services. Under the Pilot Scheme, a total of 319 elderly and 15 persons with disabilities were referred by Care Teams to use the emergency call service under subsidy.

74-year-old Mrs. Yu was the first beneficiary of the Subsidy Scheme. She resides in Tsuen Wan with her son, who has severe disabilities and suffers from multiple health issues, including stroke, cancer, and spinal problems. Since the installation of the emergency call system, Mrs. Yu has pressed the SOS button for an ambulance several times and also received support from SCHSA’s social workers.  She expressed that the emergency call service not only saved her life in critical moments but also became an important pillar of emotional support for her.  

Besides singleton and doubleton elderly, the Subsidy Scheme also supports eligible persons with disabilities. Mr. Chan (alias) is a 62-year-old disabled person living alone with epilepsy and a history of stroke.  Since he became a beneficiary under the Subsidy Scheme, he has experienced chest pain and shortness of breath in a life threatening moment. Luckily he pressed the SOS button in the emergency system and SCHSA called the ambulance to swiftly transfer him to the emergency room.  Mr. Chan said that since SCHSA’s 24x7 service centre already had his medical details and address, the staff could efficiently contact the ambulance and forwarded his medical history to the emergency room, streamlining the rescue process and ensuring timely intervention which saved his life.