Hong Kong urged to think of ways to fund long-term elderly care
Report by Our Hong Kong Foundation cites overseas study suggesting the social burden of an ageing society could be even bigger than the medical cost
The government should think of ways to finance long-term care for the elderly, such as implementing a pre-paid insurance scheme so people could save up for long- term care and ensure a high standard of post-retirement living, a think-tank has suggested.
A report by the Our Hong Kong Foundation also cited an overseas study which suggested the social burden of an ageing society could be even bigger than the medical cost.
Rather than just providing elderly people with medical treatment, the goal of long-term care is to improve their functional ability, engage them in society and allow them to live independently.
Providing subsidies for youngsters for home ownership could also help young people to accumulate assets and prevent them from falling into the safety net when they become old, it said.
“Care should be provided in the community rather than at the institutional level so that older people can stay active in a familiar, meaningful environment for as long as possible,” said Professor Yeoh Eng-kiong, Chinese University’s director of public health and primary care, who led the study.
