Aging in place: letting seniors live with dignity in the home they know
Hong Kong's policy direction is “aging in place first, residential care as backup” — about 90% of seniors live in the community and only around 4% live in residential care homes. Aging in place means seniors stay in their own home, with family or domestic helpers as the main carers, supported by government-subsidised or self-funded home-visit services.
Sources:SWD Elderly Information Website、656 Post-discharge Care Guide
A typical day of aging in place
In the morning, family/helpers help with getting up and washing → scheduled medication → lunch and dinner (home-cooked or meal delivery) → regular home visits by domestic assistants/carers (bathing, rehabilitation exercise) → emergency alarm as backup → weekly day centre or elderly centre activities; 24-hour emergency help via the alarm or 999.
Key services and providers
- Home Care Service for Frail Elderly (LHNO) For frail seniors aged 60+ assessed as suitable for community or residential care; covers personal care, nursing, rehabilitation exercise, social activities and carer support. Operated by SWD-subsidised NGOs.
- Home Support Service For seniors with mild impairment; includes meals, home cleaning, personal care and escort.
- Meal Delivery Service Subsidised services include meals (about $13–19/meal); self-funded social-enterprise/private meal delivery costs about $60–100/meal.
- Emergency Alarm / Call-for-Help Service Senior Citizen Home Safety Association's “EasyCare®” alarm service, about $100–300/month; SWD-subsidised schemes are referred through the 18-district Care Teams.
- Gerontechnology / Equipment rental Jockey Club “a Home”: nursing beds, wheelchairs, hoists and more available for monthly rental, with rental subsidies for low-income seniors.
- Elderly Community Care Service Voucher (CCSV) No waiting list; approval within 4 weeks; 2024-25 voucher value up to $10,455/month with 5%–40% co-payment.
Fee reference (SWD April 2026 fee schedule, three tiers by household income)
- Meals: $13 / $16 / $19 per meal
- Home services: $5.5 / $12 / $19 per hour
- Laundry: $0.7–$1.8 per item
Sources:SWD fee schedule PDF
How to apply
Contact your district Elderly Centre / Neighbourhood Centre, Integrated Family Service Centre or Medical Social Services Unit, or contact the service team directly; CCSV applications are submitted through the Elderly Services Voucher Information System after invitation by the SWD.
Eligibility:Aged 60 or above (65+ for some services), living in the community and assessed under the Standardised Care Need Assessment / simple assessment.
Suitable for:Seniors who still have basic self-care ability (or can be supported by family/helpers) and need help with cooking, cleaning, bathing or clinic escorts; especially suitable for seniors living alone or elderly couples to install an emergency alarm.