Most people, if facing a terminal illness, would not want to burden family members by telling them what they want to do before they die, a poll has found. Only one in five would tell loved ones of their last wishes.
Hongkongers' top three dying wishes, according to the random telephone survey by the Society for the Promotion of Hospice Care, are to spend more time with family and friends, to travel abroad and to make arrangements for their death.
Some of the 350 respondents aged 18 to 60, asked what they would choose to do if they found out they only had three months to live, said they would spend all their money, eat more of their favourite food or engage in volunteer work to help others.
Society executive director Kwan Kam-fan said patients' last wishes were often neglected. 'Most people are concerned about the medical needs and funerals,' he said. 'They neglect the psychological side.
'Many dying patients have their own last wishes. It would psychologically help both patients and their families if their last wishes could be fulfilled before the patients died.'
Terminally ill Lo Wing-leung, 46, who is paralysed and living in a rehabilitation centre, wants a flat near his wife and eight-year-old son.