Gov’t expands elderly service network

About 140 private residential homes will now provide day respite services.

The government has expanded its respite service network for the elderly to strengthen residential and day respite services for seniors.

About 140 private elderly residential care homes under the Enhanced Bought Place Scheme will provide residential respite and day respite services. 

Service points of day respite services for the elderly will increase from around 50 to about 190, whilst the number of service places will increase from about 260 to over 500 to cover all districts in Hong Kong.

Seniors and their carers may call the Designated Hotline for Carer Support 182 183 for social workers to assist in arranging and matching respite services.

They can also apply directly via residential care homes, centres, or units providing day respite services or request referrals from Integrated Family Service Centres/Integrated Services Centres, Medical Social Services Units or elderly service units.

The expansion will allow carers to take short breaks or attend to personal matters for temporary relief.