Many older people prefer living independently in their own homes as they age. With declining physical abilities, they will find it increasingly difficult to manage household work on their own or to take care of themselves. This worries their children who are anxious to make sure that everything is all right with the aged parents.
In Hong Kong, community support services are offered by a number of social welfare organizations, social enterprises or the private sector on a subsidised or “user pays” basis. These services include Outpatient Escort, Home Help, Nursing Care, Personal Care, Shopping, Delivery, Rehabilitation Training, Elderly Sitting and Meal Delivery, etc. Some social enterprises providing this service would first conduct a home visit to assess the needs of the elderly person and design a service plan based on actual needs.
It is free of charge for service users to receive telephone contacts, home visits and personal assistance. However, they have to pay the travelling expenses for themselves and for the volunteers in escort service. Likewise, they have to pay the material and travelling expenses for the volunteers if they use the household repairing services.
For those who have financial difficulty, Support Teams for the Elderly may refer them for financial assistance. Alternatively, they can approach the elderly centres in their respective districts which will make arrangements for them to undergo Standardised Care Need Assessment for Elderly Services and apply for the services they need (Central Waiting List).
Escort workers for outpatient visits would take the elderly to clinics/hospitals for medical/follow-up consultations. At the clinics/hospitals, the escort workers will help the elderly with things like registration, making the next appointment, waiting for doctors and collection of medications before taking them home safely.
Service Providers:
Social Welfare Department (SWD) and social welfare organizations' elderly centres
Social enterprises and private sector
General home related tasks such as household cleaning, cooking, laundry and ironing, purchasing food ingredients, etc.
Service Providers:
SWD and social welfare organizations' elderly centres
Social enterprises and private sector
Typical services offered by relevant organizations include:
Service Providers:
SWD and social welfare organizations' elderly centres
Social enterprises and private sector
Service Providers:
SWD and social welfare organizations' elderly centres
Social enterprises and private sector
The service, provided for elderly persons who are frail or with poor mobility, is usually included as part of outpatient escort, personal care or home help services, depending on the arrangement of each individual organization.
Service Providers:
SWD and social welfare organizations' elderly centres
Targeted at those unable to attend health care facilities for receiving nursing/ rehabilitation care because of health profiles or chronic illness, with the following scope of service:
Service Providers:
Scope of service:
Service Providers:
Social enterprises and private sector
Lunch and dinner are delivered every day (except weekends) to elderly persons who are discharged from hospital, frail or living alone, as well as to people with disabilities. The meals contain soup, meat and vegetables, offering a nutritious and balanced diet to all. Some special diets are available, such as:
Service Providers:
SWD and social welfare organizations' elderly centres
St James' Settlement Continuing Care
Jockey Club Good Hand Easy Match Alliance
Chan Un Chan Third Age Volunteers Centre cum Community Kitchen provides hot meals for deprived groups in Sham Shui Po at “Food for all Kitchen”. For details, please click here.
