Lawmakers urge stronger elderly care coordination
SingTao · 1 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago5 MIN
Summary
With Hong Kong facing a steadily ageing population, elderly care and retirement protection have become central issues ahead of the 2026 Policy Address. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu recently visited elderly residents in Sham Shui Po during a district visit, while lawmakers used the occasion to press for wider reforms in home-based care and support services. Lawmakers from different political groups said ageing policy should be handled in a more coordinated way, with stronger cross-department planning and more practical support for seniors and carers. Their proposals focused on expanding the Community Care Service Voucher for the Elderly, improving day care and home support, and using district networks and gerontechnology to help older people remain at home
Key Points
- Legislative Council member Rev. Canon Peter Douglas Koon Ho-ming (管浩鳴), who is also chairman of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, said ageing, healthcare, fertility and housing are interlinked policy issues
- Koon proposed that at least a deputy chief secretary-level official should take dedicated charge of coordinating policies related to population ageing and long-term planning
- He cited Singapore as having prepared for a super-aged society more than a decade ago, arguing Hong Kong should not delay action because the issue is difficult
- DAB lawmaker Carmen Kan Kit-ling (植潔鈴) said elderly policy should keep ageing in place as the foundation, residential care as backup, and Greater Bay Area retirement support as a supplement
- Kan urged the government to raise the value of Community Care Service Vouchers for the Elderly, review future quota increases, and adjust support with reference to actual costs and inflation
Why It Matters
How the government responds will affect whether more elderly people can remain at home with adequate support instead of relying earlier on residential care. The debate also points to pressure on Hong Kong to better connect healthcare, social welfare and district services as the city ages and more families face high-stress caregiving responsibilities