Less than 20% of seniors willing to retire in GBA despite gov’t initiatives

The findings of a survey indicate that over 80% of respondents prefer to age at home, yet Macau’s declining birth rate may diminish future generations’ capacity to support their elderly parents.

A recent survey by the Macau Social Security Society, involving 1,081 local residents aged 45 and above, found that 82% prefer home-based elderly care services, while 12% favor community-based options.

The findings reveal that over 60% of respondents rated their economic situation as “average” or “not very good.” Among their primary income sources, 33.5% rely on wages, while 20.1% depend on government subsidies.

According to the findings, approximately 20% live alone, and health and emotional issues are significant, with 16.5% reporting “poor health” and 40.8% experiencing “occasional depression.”

The survey indicates that Macau’s community support is lacking, as over a third of respondents have never engaged in volunteer or social activities, potentially leading to cognitive decline and loneliness.

Many believe that current elderly care policies focus too heavily on economic and medical support, while neglecting the essential role of social participation in improving quality of life.

Despite ongoing collaboration among Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau to establish an interconnected elderly care ecosystem in the Greater Bay Area, only about 18% of respondents are willing to consider cross-border elderly care.

The main reasons for this reluctance include concerns about medical care coordination, emotional and social disconnection, and information gaps. Among those who reject cross-border care, 52.6% view it as not viable, with over 60% requiring regular medical care but lacking trust in Mainland China’s medical system due to issues like reimbursement processes and language barriers. Additionally, nearly 50% live with their spouses, and over 20% live with their children, fearing relocation could lead to family separation.

Earlier this year, in response to legislator Ella Lei’s written inquiry about improving local and cross-border elderly care, Wilson Hon, president of the Social Welfare Bureau (IAS), noted that the Macau Special Administrative Region government is focused on the living conditions of elderly residents in mainland China, particularly in the nine mainland cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area.

The government has implemented measures to allow eligible elderly residents of Macau living in Mainland China to continue receiving welfare benefits, including assistance grants, disability allowances, pensions, and elderly allowances, thus providing essential economic support.

However, the survey findings released yesterday reveal that less than 10% of respondents are “very familiar” with cross-border elderly care policies, highlighting a need for better government communication and outreach.

The study also surveyed opinions on government elderly housing units and senior allowances.

The results showed that 14.8% of respondents were willing to live in government-subsidized elderly apartments, while around 40% of elderly respondents primarily depended on government allowances, benefits, and pensions for their livelihood.

Additionally, only 19.2% of respondents believed these allowances were adequate to cover their basic expenses.

Based on the findings, the association pointed out that the current elderly care system is grappling with four main challenges: economic security, housing, service delivery, and cross-border care.

It suggested ways to address these issues, such as enhancing economic security through pension innovations, improving living conditions for seniors with a tiered rental system for apartments, and boosting community health services by promoting telemedicine.

Additionally, it recommended developing the silver market with policy incentives and dedicated funds, as well as fostering collaboration with the Greater Bay Area.