According to the Census and Statistics Department, at present about 1.5 out of 10 people in Hong Kong are seniors aged 65 or above. By 2041, i.e. in 26 years' time, this ratio is expected to rise to 1 in every 3 people. Population ageing is obviously creating a constant demand for residential care homes for the elderly. After reviewing the service information of 85 privately run residential care homes for the elderly ("elderly homes") in Hong Kong, the Consumer Council finds that the basic monthly fees they charged can vary widely from HK$4,500 to HK$21,000. There are also additional miscellaneous charges to cover items, such as out-patient escort services, diapers, electricity, toilet papers and initial administrative fee. Medical services such as wound cleaning, blood glucose test and medical checkup are charged on top of all these and the difference of which varies between 1 to as much as 9 times, while the elderly homes different from one another in regard to the services they provided. Consumers should ensure themselves understood every detail before making a choice.
The 85 privately run elderly homes surveyed by the Council provide accommodation for elderly of mild, moderate and severe impairment level. Many of them offer a full range of single, double, special care and deluxe rooms. The lowest monthly fee is offered by one located in Sham Shui Po, which charges a basic fee of HK$4,500 per month for a place. The most expensive one is located in the Kwai Tsing District, which charges HK$21,000 per month for a deluxe garden type single room.
No doubt different elderly homes charge different basic monthly fees. Even the same one charges very differently depending on the room type. Consumers are thus advised to make a choice based on their own budget and needs. A certain elderly home in the Yau Tsim Mong District, for example, charges HK$8,000 for a single room with window and HK$5,000 for one without, a difference of 60%. Rooms with and without door, deluxe rooms and rooms for Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients are all priced quite differently too.
When evaluating affordability and calculating the fee, consumers should take into account not only the basic monthly fee but also miscellaneous charges which vary hugely between different residential care homes. For instance, some charge HK$100 to HK$500 for each out-patient escort service but some charge that by the hour. Some charge HK$5 to HK$10 per diaper but some charge a lump sum per month at HK$500 the lowest and HK$2,400 the highest. Some even count daily care service as an item for miscellaneous charges, the so called "nursing fee".
It is worth noting that service level varies from home to home. For example, some change the diaper for the elderly three times a day only, while some do 8 to 12 times a day at maximum. The difference in terms of frequency of baths ranges from 3 or 4 times a week to once a day.
Moreover, individual elderly homes charge extra for daily necessities and services. For instance, toilet papers are charged at HK$2 to HK$5 per roll. There are also items called TV electricity fee, charged at HK$50 to HK$200 per month, and air conditioning fee between HK$95 and HK$300 per month.
There are 75% of the elderly homes surveyed require a deposit. Generally speaking it is more or less equal to the monthly fee. Deposits are exempted by the remaining 25% as purported in consideration of the economic hardship faced by most of their residents.
In case a resident passes away during the stay in an elderly home, the deposit would usually be refunded, but not the monthly fee largely because of the notice period required. 9 of the elderly homes surveyed indicated that if a resident passes away during the admission to hospital, the family members are required to give them a 1 to 15 days' notice for withdrawal. The purpose of prior notice as explained by the elderly home is to allow the deceased residents' family members to tidy up their personal belongings.
Owing to the big variation of charges of the residential care homes, consumers should beware of the following:
- Contemplate the need for care and attention home or special care home in accordance with the actual circumstances.
- Bring the senior onsite to view the actual environment and facilities when choosing an elderly home for him.
- When assessing expenses and affordability, be cautious about the calculation method regarding monthly fee and miscellaneous fees to keep within budget.
- Verify all charges before settling the payment and retain the receipts of deposit as well as other fees as proof for subsequent processing of discharge from the elderly home.
- Consider whether the visiting hours are convenient enough to the family members. Most elderly homes' visiting hours are between 9am and 8pm, but some allow 24-hour visits.
- Some elderly homes have in place a complaint handling mechanism. Remember to ask for the relevant details before admission to the homes.
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