Long-Term Care Policy in Hong Kong: Challenges and Future Directions

Abstract

In comparison to residential care services, home and community care services in Hong Kong remain underfunded and underdeveloped. The government's long-term care policies have resulted in an overreliance on subsidized long-term care services in the form of institutional care services. The quality of services offered by private residential care facilities is a cause for concern. Population aging, evolving family structures, and changes in residential living patterns are expected to continue to put a strain on resources for services for the elderly in the near future. This article provides an overview of the many issues surrounding long-term care in Hong Kong and offers potential directions for the future development of long-term care services.

Keywords:

• home care
• Hong Kong
• long-term care
• residential care

Notes

This article is based on a study conducted by the author and his colleagues, which was commissioned by the Hong Kong Government's Elderly Commission in 2008–2009.