Homes for the elderly are poised to be upgraded under a $200 million plan which the Social Welfare Department is hoping the Lottery Fund will finance.
Paved areas for walking, padded walls and other special fittings could be added to five homes and two day care centres that cater for patients suffering from dementia in a three-year pilot scheme.
Up to 140 people living at the five subvented homes and 40 clients of the day centres would benefit from the scheme.
It would target institutions that had more patients suffering from dementia but which did not receive extra government subsidies, said Eliza Leung Wong Kwok-shing, Assistant Director for Social Welfare.
Homes and centres wanting to take part in the pilot programme have to submit proposals to demonstrate how they can improve services with the new funding for residents suffering from dementia.
'For example, patients with dementia like to walk in a circle,' Mrs Leung said.
