The traditional picture of Chinese families venerating elderly members living amid an extended family of children and grandchildren is fading. A recent government survey shows that more elderly people are living alone.
It found that more than 143,000 of 1.1 million elderly people in Hong Kong were living alone during the survey period between June and August last year, an increase of 38,000 people on numbers recorded in a similar survey conducted five years ago.
The Census and Statistics Department report released yesterday covers the socio-demographic profile, health status and self-care capabilities of elderly people aged 60 or above.
Some 70 per cent of the elderly population was found to be suffering from various chronic diseases, of which more than 60 per cent were suffering from hypertension problems, and one in five had diabetes. Other more common ailments reported included arthritis and eye diseases.
The number of elderly people who lived in residential care institutions was 58,300, up by 2,000 since the last survey, and 97 per cent were suffering from chronic diseases.
But compared with the situation in 2004, elderly people seemed to be enjoying more financial freedom.