Citizens struggle with insufficient financial support for the elderly and caregivers

Lawmaker Ella Lei has called on the government to strengthen the pension adjustment mechanism and expand support for caregivers,

In light of inflationary pressures, the main expenses for the elderly – such as daily food and medical costs – are still insufficient to cover their basic living needs.

Lei expressed the necessity to optimize and integrate support services, including providing care knowledge, identifying social resources or support channels, and offering mental health and respite services.

Following her concerns, the lawmaker sought to understand the current progress regarding adjustments to pension amounts to ensure they meet the living standards required by the elderly.

The government announced an increase in the amount of social security benefits, including pensions, effective January 1 this year.

The carer allowance in Macau has been accepting regular applications since December 2023, but payments remain limited to four categories of conditions, including severe or extremely severe disability and long-term bed rest, and the amounts are not high.

According to Lei, citizens hope that authorities will expand the subsidy scope or appropriately increase the amounts, taking into account the financial situations of affected families.

This would help alleviate the financial burden on those unable to work, especially full-time caregivers.

Despite current support resources for caregivers being relatively fragmented, there is still a need for better care knowledge, including mental health and respite services.

Lei asked, “After the transition of the carer allowance to a regular measure, what is the current status of the relevant cases and the payment amounts?”

She also inquired whether authorities had considered extending the carer allowance to more caregivers in need, particularly high-risk families and those caring for people with dementia.

According to Hon Wai, the director of the Social Welfare Bureau (IAS), to optimize the regular adjustment mechanism of social security benefits, the Social Security Fund has commissioned universities to conduct a study in the second half of 2025.

After a comprehensive review, the social security system aims to better meet the needs of social development and respond to residents’ actual needs while ensuring sustainable resource allocation.

Currently, the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) is assessing data stability and will provide necessary data to departments for analytical studies.

Since the government launched the “Carers Allowance Pilot Scheme” in December 2020, which officially transitioned to a regular measure in December 2023, the number of beneficiaries has gradually increased.

From December 2020 to June 30, 2025, a total of 310 cases met the payment requirements, with cumulative subsidies exceeding MOP18.4 million.

In addition to cash subsidies, the government offers free or low-cost medical care, rehabilitation training, day care, home care, emergency assistance, assistive devices, and travel assistance services for the elderly and persons with disabilities.

Hon Wai emphasized the government’s collaboration with non-governmental organizations to provide various support services for vulnerable communities.

In recent years, the government has invested resources to enhance support for caregivers.

This includes establishing home care support centers for the elderly with disabilities and other needy individuals, and providing year-round home-based care services for the frail, disabled, and other vulnerable populations.Times Reporter