Care for the elderly was one of the 3 main policy objectives of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in 1997.
Many policy initiatives have been introduced in terms of financial support, better housing, and long-term care services.
For active ageing, an innovative project known as the ‘Elder Academy’ aimed at promoting intergenerational cohesion,
which is now under threat owing to changing social patterns. With the rapid increase in the number of ‘old-olds’, more
resources on dementia care, community support, professional staff development, carer training, and coordination of care
are necessary. In terms of financing, shared responsibility is the only viable option. In the 2012-13 budget speech, a pilot
for community care service voucher as a means of promoting ageing at home was announced. As the coming cohorts of
elders are more affluent and knowledgeable, they tend to be healthier and have different demands and expectations, such
as independent living with better quality of life. The private sector may explore the markets of community care services
and elder-oriented products. To meet the emerging needs, a holistic approach should be adopted, with modifications of
the labour laws to make use of the talents of elders and to provide more flexible work arrangements for family members
to care for elders.

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