The Government provides a wide variety of social services and benefits to the elderly in Hong Kong. These include Community Support Services that enable the elderly to stay with their family in the community environment, Residential Care Services for helping the elderly who lack adequate care at home and financial support for the elderly facing hardship. Combined with non-governmental support services, these measures ensure that the elderly receive the help they need.

Both the District Elderly Community Centres and the Neighbourhood Elderly Centres satisfy the needs of the elderly in terms of education, development, carer support, outreaching and networking, counselling, meals, referrals and drop-in services.

• District Elderly Community Centres
  http://www.swd.gov.hk/en/index/site_pubsvc/page_elderly/sub_csselderly/id_districtel/
• Neighbourhood Elderly Centres
  http://www.swd.gov.hk/en/index/site_pubsvc/page_elderly/sub_csselderly/id_neighborho/

The elderly can also enrol in the social and recreational activities organised by the Social Centres for the Elderly to make better use of their leisure time and build social networks.

• Social Centres for the Elderly
  http://www.swd.gov.hk/en/index/site_pubsvc/page_elderly/sub_csselderly/id_socialcent/

To meet the special needs of senior citizens who are physically weak, Day Care Centres and Units for the Elderly, Enhanced Home and Community Care Services and Integrated Home Care Services offer either centre-based or home-based community care services.

• Day Care Centres and Units for the Elderly
  http://www.swd.gov.hk/en/index/site_pubsvc/page_elderly/sub_csselderly/id_daycarecen/
• Enhanced Home and Community Care Services
  http://www.swd.gov.hk/en/index/site_pubsvc/page_elderly/sub_csselderly/id_enhancedho/
• Integrated Home Care Services
  http://www.swd.gov.hk/en/index/site_pubsvc/page_elderly/sub_csselderly/id_618/

The elderly who lack care and assistance at home can enjoy residential care services for accommodation, personal care, health maintenance and social networking. There are different kinds of residential care homes to meet different needs.

• Different types of residential care homes
  http://www.swd.gov.hk/en/index/site_pubsvc/page_elderly/sub_residentia/id_listofresi/
• Information on Government-subsidised service in Care and Attention Homes for the Elderly
  http://www.swd.gov.hk/en/index/site_pubsvc/page_elderly/sub_residentia/id_careandatt/
• Information on Government-subsidised service in Nursing Homes
  http://www.swd.gov.hk/en/index/site_pubsvc/page_elderly/sub_residentia/id_nursinghom/

Since 2003, the Social Welfare Department has maintained a Central Waiting List for subsidised long-term care services. To apply for subsidised long-term care services, applicants will need to undertake a standardised assessment to confirm their needs.

• Central Waiting List for Subsidised Long Term Care Services
  http://www.swd.gov.hk/en/index/site_pubsvc/page_elderly/sub_centralwai/
• Standardised Care Need Assessment Mechanism for Elderly Services
  http://www.swd.gov.hk/en/index/site_pubsvc/page_elderly/sub_standardis/

The elderly in financial need can apply for various social security schemes. The Social Security Allowance Scheme provides a monthly allowance to Hong Kong residents aged 65 or above, or who are severely disabled.

• More on the Social Security Allowance Scheme
  http://www.swd.gov.hk/en/index/site_pubsvc/page_socsecu/sub_ssallowance/index.html

Senior citizens in financial difficulty can also apply for the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) to meet their basic needs. Elderly CSSA recipients who choose to retire permanently in Guangdong or Fujian provinces can continue to receive cash assistance under the Portable CSSA Scheme.

• Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Scheme
  http://www.swd.gov.hk/en/index/site_pubsvc/page_socsecu/sub_comprehens/index.html
• Portable Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Scheme
  http://www.swd.gov.hk/en/index/site_pubsvc/page_socsecu/sub_portableco/index.html

All Hong Kong residents aged 65 or above can apply for a Senior Citizen Card to enjoy various social benefits such as concessions, discounts and priority services offered by the Government, public organisations and private or commercial establishments.

• Senior Citizen Card Scheme
  http://www.swd.gov.hk/en/index/site_pubsvc/page_elderly/sub_csselderly/id_seniorciti/

Besides the Government, a number of non-governmental and community service organisations provide support, such as the 24-hour emergency alarm system that enables elderly people in danger to speak to an operator.

• Organisations offering information and services for the elderly
  http://www.elderlycommission.gov.hk/en/related_sites/index1.html#nongov