A proposal for a voucher system for long-term care in Hong Kong.
Over the next three decades, due to a rapidly aging population coupled with the recent economic downturn, Hong Kong society will face severe challenges in establishing a sustainable aged care system. We identify four principles: the encouragement of family care, service integration, a mixed mode of financing, as well as a "small government and large market" approach to guide the development of aged care services. After a brief description of existing Hong Kong long-term care services for the elderly, we evaluate this service according to these principles. We examine how a proposed voucher system could tackle problems in the current system of long-term care. Finally, we propose solutions to alleviate the possible negative consequences of the voucher system and describe the essential preconditions for the full implementation of the system.
Chou
Kee-Lee
KL
Sau Po Centre on Ageing, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong. klchou@hku.hk
Chow
Nelson W S
NW
Chi
Iris
I
D000368:Aged; D005190:Family; D005380:Financing, Government / Q000191:economics*; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000639:trends*; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends*