HONG KONG'S elderly may be aged by five years, not with the care of a fine cheese or wine, but the brisk stroke of a pen.
The traditional Chinese cut-off for old age - 60 - may be scrapped in favour of 65, used in most countries outside Asia. With it will go access to housing for the elderly and nursing homes.
A working group on the elderly, due to report in August on a wide range of issues, is tipped to recommend that 60 is just not old enough.
''It's very clear from the statistics that those who are using the services who are aged 60 to 65, are a very small percentage of the total,'' working group member, Dr Nelson Chow Wing-sun said.
Sixty-five is the limit for medical services, but not social welfare services which, in addition to housing and community services, provide $1,550 a month in public assistance to elderly who are 60 or over and needy.
Needy people under 60 receive only $910.
