Elderly homes to increase, Hengqin part of the plan

The number of homes available for elderly residents will be increased to 2400 in 2017 to cope with growing demand, said the president of the Social Welfare Bureau (IAS), Iong Kong Io, during TDM’s radio talkback show. Currently there are 1700 homes for elderly residents in Macau.
According to the data provided by IAS, the elderly account for eight percent of the total population, but that figure is expected to have increased by 20 percent by 2036. Presently there are over 400 elderly people on the waiting list for a home.
Commenting on recent statements made by government representatives indicating that elderly homes for locals may be established in Hengqin, Iong Kong Io said that the policy for the elderly will be focused on Macau, but that the mainland will not be left out of the plan.
“In regards to Hengqin, I hope we can buy land to build elderly care facilities. They will be more modern, with environmentally friendly designs. Spacing and equipment will also be considered to help progress the development,” he said.