Updated at 6.05pm: The Social Welfare Department on Monday urged privately-run elderly homes in Hong Kong to adopt greater transparency and openness regarding their fees and refund policies.
The call was made in response to a Consumer Council survey report, which found prices and services provided by private elderly homes varied considerably.
The watchdog, which earlier polled 185 elderly homes in Hong Kong, said consumers could find it confusing when choosing care services for elderly people.
?First, and foremost, is the level of care required for an elderly person as assessed by a registered doctor ? namely, high, middle or low level of care,? the council said.
Charges for a single-bed accommodation with a ?high level of care? ranged from $3,500 to $10,000. Those for a ?middle level? one ranged from $3,000 to $6,500 and a ?low level? one cost from $2,000 to $6,000, it said.
Room rates also varied considerably: from $3,000 to $18,700 for a twin room, and $3,000 to $24,750 for a single room.
The council found some operators did not state clearly what services were included by prices operators had listed.