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
JENNIFER NGOjennifer.ngo@scmp.com
PUBLISHED : Monday, 03 August, 2015, 5:38am
UPDATED : Monday, 03 August, 2015, 5:38am
In Hong Kong, there are 78,581 households consisting of just two elderly people caring for themselves, figures show. Photo: Martin Chan
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.
Hong Kong also has 124,659 two-person households with one person over 65. These are also considered an at-risk group as that adult child is the older person's sole support.
Ng also said an inflexible system of subsidised homes for the elderly tended to keep the most fragile old people at home, as they don't want to part with their spouses - who may have better health and don't qualify for a place in a subsidised home. "There is no discretion for these couples. Either you stay put, or you're separated for the rest of your lives," he said.
Tong Choi-ying, programme director of integrated homes for the elderly and community care at the Christian Family Service Centre, said most old people preferred living in their own flat and neighbourhood, but insufficient community service support pushed them into care homes.
"There are many cases where it's a not-so-young person caring for an older and frail person," she said. "Those we are in touch with are already the better-off group - they've found people to help them - but we're sure there are many unreached families."
Christian Family Service Centre provides government-subsidised home care and support to around 900 elderly people in Kwun Tong and Wong Tai Sin. Services include house-cleaning, meal deliveries and accompanying them to shops or hospitals.
"Kwun Tong has a pretty serious ageing issue and the queue for such services is about two to three years long," she said. "We've asked the government for years to give us more resources ... but nothing has been done."
A Social Welfare Department spokeswoman said the government had increased places in the Enhanced Home and Community Service - at-home support for the frailest elders - by 1,666 in March. She said the government spent HK$82.5 million annually on centres for the elderly.
http://m.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/1846018/almost-80000-elderly-hong-kong-people-and-their
