Policy Address

Care for the Elderly

259. The Government will continue to adhere to the principle of promoting "ageing in place as the core, with institutional care as back-up". Eleven measures will be introduced:

Ageing in Place

0. Increase the total number of Community Care Service Vouchers for the Elderly by 4 000 to 16 000.

1. Set up three new Neighbourhood Elderly Centres to strengthen support at the district level. They are expected to serve some 3 000 elderly persons annually.

2. Lease out newly built government welfare facilities on a pilot basis to allow service operators greater flexibility in offering day care and support services for the elderly under different funding modes.

3. Enhance the Integrated Discharge Support Programme for Elderly Patients to provide social welfare service support for discharged elderly persons in need.

Strengthen Residential Care Services

4. Provide about 700 new subsidised residential care service places.

5. Increase the total number of Residential Care Service Vouchers for the Elderly by 1 000 to 7 000.

6. Subsidise eligible serving health workers of residential care homes to enrol in the new professional diploma programme for Health&Care Practitioners, nurturing dedicated professionals and promoting the development of the sector.