Gov’t to build ‘15- to 20-minute community circle’ for elderly

The Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, O Lam, yesterday revealed that research has begun on creating a “15- to 20-minute community service circle for the elderly” to ensure access to at least one elderly service facility within 20 minutes, facilitating aging in place.

In response to concerns from several lawmakers about elderly care during a legislative session yesterday, the Secretary first referenced official statistics, noting that the current proportion of the elderly population aged 65 and above in Macau is 14.6%. “By 2029, this figure is projected to rise to 21.4%, exceeding the threshold of 21% for an ultra-aged society. By 2041, it is expected to further increase to 24.8%,” she estimated.

According to the Secretary, the government is committed to offering a comprehensive range of support and medical services for senior citizens, aiming to enhance their sense of belonging, security, and worthiness, while also providing ample opportunities for enjoyment and enrichment.

Among the initiatives highlighted by O Lam, the acceleration of building more residential homes for senior citizens is particularly notable in the Eastern District 2, where about 1,100 additional places are being created. In light of social consensus, she said: “We are exploring the possibility of allocating land to private entities for the development of care homes.”

O emphasized that the longstanding shortage of beds in residential care homes for the elderly is a well-recognized issue: “As everyone knows, the average waiting time currently stands at 16 months. With our elderly population continuing to grow, it is imperative that we seek effective solutions.”

She went on to emphasize the importance of proactive healthcare and chronic disease prevention, stating that “in the face of an aging society, the focus should shift from merely treating diseases to providing care throughout the entire life cycle.”

O Lam noted that, in comparison to neighboring regions, the doctor-to-nurse ratio in Macau is “not very low.” Currently, there are 2.9 doctors, 4.4 nurses, and 0.4 physical therapists for every 1,000 people.

However, she was quick to emphasize that, to effectively address the challenges of a super-aged society by 2035, Macau must learn from the experiences of relevant regions. “The ratio of doctors should be increased to 3.5% to 4%, translating to 3.5 to 4 doctors per 3,000 people. Additionally, the nurse ratio should rise from 4.4% to between 5.5% and 6.0%, while the physical therapist ratio needs to reach 0.8 to 1.0.

This means we will need to add between 90 and 120 doctors annually, 150 to 180 nurses, and 35 to 50 physical therapists,” she stated.

In this context, the Secretary noted that the government will prioritize promoting community nursing and rehabilitation services. This includes establishing community health centers that integrate teams of nurses, social workers, and rehabilitation therapists to deliver chronic disease management services. Additionally, the government is considering a “family contract nurse” model to provide regular home nursing services for elderly individuals living at residential homes.

She also emphasized the important role of elderly volunteers, stating that Macau currently organizes many volunteer activities through community organizations, enabling elderly people to participate.

According to O Lam, the next phase of the government’s 10-year plan for elderly services will focus on integrating local “silver industries”. This initiative aims to create more job opportunities, such as health assistants, home nursing, and meal delivery services, for local senior citizens while significantly enhancing the support and services available to aging population.