Almost 80,000 elderly Hong Kong people and their sole carers at risk, say social workers
Social workers say tragic deaths like that of an 84-year-old, days after son-in-law passed away, could become the norm due to lack of support
Double tragedies like the deaths of an 84-year-old man and his 61-year-old son-in-law could become common, social workers warn, as figures show almost 80,000 families comprising two elderly people are at risk due to a lack of community support.
Calling for more neighbourhood support for elderly people in the community, social work organisations criticised the government for ignoring the needs of those deemed "not frail enough" as well as individuals who single-handedly care for them.
This came after the 84-year-old, who used a wheelchair and needed help to eat, died alone, next to his son-in-law and sole carer, who is believed to have died from a fall two days earlier in their flat in Tin Shui Wai last month. Their bodies were not discovered until days later.
"With an ageing population, [tragedies like these] could become the norm," said Society for Community Organisation social worker Ng Wai-tung. Ng said there was little support for the primary carers of elderly people.
"The government has no concern about the well-being of these carers. They could be a daughter, or an in-law, or a spouse. But these people take up the caring responsibility, even though many are getting old and fragile themselves," he said.
In Hong Kong, there are 78,581 households consisting of just two elderly people, among which a majority of 76,158 households comprise old couples, according to the 2011 census. There are also 393 households where a son or daughter aged over 65 is a parent's sole carer.