Safer elderly living spaces ‘could save Hong Kong HK$5.67 billion a year by 2046'
Providing a safer living environment for elderly Hongkongers could cut at least HK$5.67 billion (US$730 million) in annual hospitalisation costs by 2046, the year when over a third of the city's population is expected to be aged 65 and above, a think tank has said.
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Our Hong Kong Foundation on Thursday released a policy research report that set out a series of recommendations for authorities to improve the living environment for elderly residents and support the city's strategy of 'ageing in place' – which means enabling residents to stay at home as they grow old.
The suggestions included boosting the private housing market for the elderly using incentives such as a tiered mechanism offering gross floor area concessions to private developers and setting aside land for residences catering to older people.
The group also suggested the government subsidise home modifications for elderly residents and update the Buildings Ordinance to require new housing projects to incorporate elderly friendly designs.
'We are facing a 'double ageing' challenge, as both the population and buildings are growing older, which is an issue we need to address,' think tank president Jane Lee Ching-yee said.
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'The policy of ageing in place needs further improvement. Inadequate housing and community support not only affect the elderly but also the long-term development of our society.'
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