Gov’t overhauls elderly, rehabilitation plans with biennial reviews

[Photo: Lynzy Valles]

The second 10-year plans for elderly and rehabilitation services will move to a “10-year strategy, two-year action plan” model to stay adaptable to rapid change, Social Welfare Bureau (IAS) director Wilson Hon has said, as a pre-emptive care plan is piloted at two elderly homes and accessibility law updates enter the preliminary assessment phase.

The government held a press conference yesterday to unveil the 2026–2035 10-Year Action Plan for Elderly Services and the 2026–2035 10-Year Action Plan for Rehabilitation Services.

In his speech, the IAS director said the Elderly Services Plan sets out 96 action strategies, with key development directions including holistic health, smart technology, the silver economy, and age-friendly and inclusive environments, aiming to build a society where the elderly are supported, have a sense of belonging, and are empowered.

In the first phase, covering the first two years, 104 specific implementation measures have been rolled out under 77 strategies across four focal areas: physical and mental wellness, active aging, diversified service supply, and social inclusion. Initiatives include a cross-border elderly care pilot scheme, the gradual extension of free “Peace Call” emergency support services to elderly people living alone and two-person elderly households, and regular reviews of pension adjustments.

The Rehabilitation Services Plan proposes 66 action strategies, with smart technology, accessibility, and social inclusion as the three core development directions, aimed at promoting independent living, equal participation, and holistic development for persons with disabilities. For the 2026–2027 period, 83 implementation measures have been introduced under 56 strategies, covering physical rehabilitation, potential development, support safeguards, and inclusive environments.

New initiatives include a smart assistive device rental service, optimized early intervention assessment and referral guidelines with a target of reducing the wait for initial treatment to within three weeks, expanded vocational rehabilitation outreach services, and the pilot introduction of AI-powered real-time interpretation and indoor navigation robots.

‘10-Year Strategy, Two-Year Action’

Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the press conference at the Macau Cultural Center, Hon said the newly unveiled 10-year plans for elderly and rehabilitation services differ significantly in structure from their predecessors.

“We have drawn on important lessons from the previous 10-year plan,” he said. “The last plan was divided into short-, medium- and long-term phases, but this time we are adopting a ‘10-year strategy, two-year action plan’ approach.”

Hon explained that the shift was necessary to keep pace with rapid social and technological change. “We cannot plan for 10 years when technology changes in just three,” he said, adding that the new plans would be reviewed and adjusted every two years to ensure flexibility. He also noted that while the previous plans – which involved some 300 to 400 projects – were about building services from scratch, the new plans involve fewer projects but are more targeted, with 18 government entities collaborating across multiple policy areas.

On elderly services, Hon introduced the “pre-emptive care plan,” currently being piloted at two elderly homes to facilitate end-of-life arrangements.

“We hope to coordinate this holistically – the elderly must express their wishes, and families must accept them,” he said. “Whether it’s medical treatment, emergency care, or other critical decisions, families and the elderly need to reach an agreement.” He stressed that because the issue touches on life and death, consensus must be built through practical experience over time.

[Photo: Yuki Lei]

On rehabilitation services, the government is moving ahead with legal updates to accessibility standards. Hon said the preliminary assessment phase had been confirmed, with agreements now being signed with the relevant assessment body.

“We have identified the team to carry out the work, and the project agreement is being finalized,” he said. “The preparatory work – including the tender and quotation process – is largely complete.”

Hon acknowledged that the legislative process would be complex, citing the legacy of the 1983 law and Macau’s historic city center as key challenges. “If we apply the accessibility guidelines proposed in 2019, there will be gaps between the law and practical implementation,” he said.

“Some requirements will be easy to meet, while others will be difficult – especially in heritage areas where excavation is simply not possible.”

He stressed that developers, architects, and other stakeholders must be consulted, adding: “Different stakeholders have different views on accessibility guidelines. We need to listen to all sides, respect their perspectives, and work together to improve the law.”

Residents aged 65 or above make up 17.6%

Data shows that by the end of 2024, the number of local residents aged 65 or older had reached approximately 100,000, accounting for 17.6% of the population.

The government projects that the elderly population will increase to about 132,000 by 2029, representing 21.4% – at which point Macau will enter a “super-aged” society – and further to 24.8% by 2041. As part of efforts to improve the 15-minute community elderly service circle, authorities plan to conduct health assessments for high-risk seniors to identify those in need early and provide intervention and referral services.

Currently, elderly individuals aged 75 or older living alone or in two-person elderly households are eligible for free fixed-line “Peace Call” emergency support services, with the government planning to gradually expand the service’s coverage and eligibility for free access in phases between 2026 and 2028.

Notably, the Chief Executive has set up two interdepartmental coordination groups for elderly and rehabilitation services, involving 18 public entities across four and five policy secretariats, respectively.