Mystery investor saves nursing home from closure
Updated: 2015-12-31 07:46
By Timothy Chui in Hong Kong(HK Edition)
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Tsuen King Home for the Aged in Tsuen Wan had faced closure after it failed to pay its landlord a reported HK$50,000 in rent. The home had asked its 49 elderly residents to move out and seek another care center before an investor stepped in at the 11th hour. Provided to China Daily |
A nursing home on the verge of closing has found an 11th-hour "angel investor" - keeping dozens of elderly residents out of the cold during the holiday season.
Children of tenants at Tsuen King Home for the Aged in Tsuen Wan were scrambling to find alternative housing for their elderly parents after the center announced its imminent closure only four days ago over financial difficulties.
The home for the elderly missed a HK$50,000 rent payment and warned residents they had to seek alternative housing by today (Thursday).
Most of the home's fixed assets including furniture, fixtures and air conditioners were set to be auctioned off Wednesday before a mystery investor, surnamed Hui, appeared. Hui injected much-needed capital to settle outstanding rents and keep the home operating.
Some of the elderly home's residents had already moved out after the center issued its warning on Sunday. They were shocked by the sudden notice of closure as their deposits would not be refunded - sparking complaints over the short notice and service quality.
Relatives are to be informed at least one month prior to a planned closure, according to Chairman of the Elderly Services Association of Hong Kong Kenneth Chan Chi-yuk.
The Social Welfare Department has been in touch with all 49 residents of the nursing home and their children.
Secretary for Labour and Welfare Matthew Cheung Kin-chung said the government would pay close attention to developments. He said other nursing homes in Tsuen Wan District had enough beds to accommodate the elderly residents if the need arose.
The state of retirees in Hong Kong has been in the public spotlight after a series of scandals involving treatment of seniors at retirement homes.
Quality control at the city's private homes for the elderly has become a rallying cry for advocates after the Cambridge Nursing Home in Tai Po was caught leaving residents naked on a rooftop while they queued for showers.
A caretaker has also pleaded guilty to one count of common assault after he was caught on camera hitting a wheelchair-bound elderly man in the very same nursing home, part of a chain of 18 homes for the elderly.
Zhao Chunan contributed to this story.
tim@chinadailyhk.com
(HK Edition 12/31/2015 page10)