Question 1

What is the difference between an RCHE, a care-and-attention home, and a nursing home? Which one should I choose?

Accepted Answer

“Residential care home for the elderly” is an umbrella term. Care-and-attention homes and nursing homes are two types of government-subsidised places, and the appropriate type is determined through the Single Assessment Mechanism, not chosen by the family.

Question 2

How frail does an older person need to be before a subsidised residential care home is suitable?

Accepted Answer

Subsidised residential care homes serve older persons aged 65 or above. They must first complete the free Single Assessment, be assessed as needing long-term residential care, and be placed on the Central Waiting List before they are eligible.

Question 3

Home care, day care centre, or residential care home -- how do I know which is suitable?

Accepted Answer

Hong Kong’s policy direction is “ageing-in-place first, residential care as a last resort”. Community care and residential care are both matched through the same Single Assessment, so you do not need to judge the suitable option alone.

Question 4

What is the difference between a “subsidised place” and a “private place”?

Accepted Answer

A subsidised place requires assessment and Central Waiting List allocation, with a fixed monthly fee. A private place does not require assessment and may be available immediately, but it is fully self-financed. The Residential Care Service Voucher is a subsidised option between the two.

Question 5

How do I apply for the Central Waiting List? What documents are needed?

Accepted Answer

The Central Waiting List only accepts referral applications. Older persons cannot apply directly; they must first be referred by a designated service unit and complete the free Single Assessment Mechanism for Elderly Services.

Question 6

How long is the current wait for subsidised residential care places?

Accepted Answer

Based on the average for the past 3 months, subsidised/contract care-and-attention home places take about 21 months, nursing home places about 9 months, while EBPS private places have the shortest waiting time at about 6 months.

Question 7

Can an older person move into a private home while waiting? Will it affect their queue position?

Accepted Answer

While waiting, an older person may first move into a private home. This does not affect their Central Waiting List position; the application can be set as a non-active case and later reactivated using the original application date.

Question 8

What is the Single Assessment Mechanism for Elderly Services? Who carries out the assessment?

Accepted Answer

The Single Assessment Mechanism for Elderly Services (SCNAMES) is the single entry point for applying for subsidised long-term care services. Recognised assessors conduct a home assessment free of charge, and the result is valid for 12 months.

Question 9

How much are the monthly fees for subsidised residential care homes?

Accepted Answer

Monthly fees for subvented, contract and bought-place homes are set uniformly by the government. Care-and-attention residential care places start from HK$1,660 per month, nursing home places are HK$2,054, and Guangdong residential care service places are free. Private home fees are set by the homes themselves.

Question 10

How much government subsidy can an older CSSA recipient get when living in a residential care home?

Accepted Answer

Older CSSA recipients living in residential care homes may receive a monthly standard rate of HK$4,345 to HK$7,385 depending on their health condition. Residents of non-subsidised homes may also receive a HK$415 residential care supplement, but CSSA does not cover home fees in full.

Question 11

How do you apply for a Residential Care Service Voucher (RCSV), and how much is it worth?

Accepted Answer

Older persons who have completed the assessment, been placed on the Central Waiting List, and have not yet been allocated a subsidised place may apply for an RCSV. The voucher value is HK$17,015/month for care-and-attention homes and HK$21,982/month for nursing homes, with co-payment set across 8 levels according to personal assets.

Question 12

What are the Guangdong Scheme and Fujian Scheme? Can you still receive Hong Kong allowances while retiring in Mainland China?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Eligible older persons who move to Guangdong or Fujian Province may continue to receive Old Age Allowance or Old Age Living Allowance, provided they have been Hong Kong residents for 7 years, have resided in Hong Kong continuously for 1 year before applying, and understand that the schemes do not cover subsidised residential care places.

Question 13

Do you need to pay a security deposit when moving into a residential care home, and how is it refunded when you leave?

Accepted Answer

The Code of Practice under the Residential Care Homes (Elderly Persons) Ordinance does not set a cap on security deposits, but homes must state the deposit amount, refund conditions and procedures in writing before admission. Any fee adjustment must also be notified in writing at least 30 days in advance.

Question 14

What should I look for and ask about when visiting a care home?

Accepted Answer

When visiting, use the regulated areas under the Residential Care Homes (Elderly Persons) Ordinance (Cap.459) as a checklist: hygiene, staffing, safety, fire precautions, and home area. Ask directly about the care level, care staff ratio, and fees.

Question 15

How can I check whether a care home is licensed, and whether it has complaint records?

Accepted Answer

The Social Welfare Department publishes downloadable lists of licensed residential care homes for the elderly by 18 districts. A home's conviction records and warning records can be searched on Elderly Information Website, but full complaint records and inspection reports are not public.

Question 16

What ratio of care staff to older persons is reasonable?

Accepted Answer

The Code of Practice for Residential Care Homes (Elderly Persons) sets ratios for high-care places, such as 1 care worker for 20 older persons during the day. From 16 June 2026, nurse and health worker ratios will be further enhanced in phases.

Question 17

Are homes under the Enhanced Bought Place Scheme (EBPS) always better?

Accepted Answer

Enhanced Bought Place Scheme (EBPS) places have higher standards than basic private homes and usually shorter waiting times than subsidised places, but "bought place" is only a label. You should still visit in person before choosing.

Question 18

What should you do if an older person struggles to adjust or becomes emotional after admission?

Accepted Answer

Emotional and behavioural changes after initial admission are a normal adjustment response. The Code of Practice for Residential Care Homes (Elderly Persons) requires homes to closely observe residents and arrange professional intervention where necessary. A care plan should also be drawn up within one month after admission, and family members can discuss adjustment strategies with the home's social worker.

Question 19

Can you visit a residential care home freely? Are there visiting-hour limits?

Accepted Answer

Hong Kong does not have uniform statutory visiting hours for residential care homes. Each home sets its own visiting arrangements. The Code of Practice for Residential Care Homes (Elderly Persons) encourages homes to arrange family visits to support older persons' adjustment, but homes may adjust visiting arrangements during infectious disease outbreaks. Ask the home about its visiting policy before admission.

Question 20

What is the process if an older person becomes ill in a residential care home or needs to be sent to hospital?

Accepted Answer

The Code of Practice for Residential Care Homes (Elderly Persons) requires homes to immediately assess residents' health and arrange treatment when they become ill or injured, provide basic first aid, immediately notify family members or emergency contacts, arrange staff escort where needed and record the incident. Serious special incidents must also be reported to the Licensing Office of Residential Care Homes for the Elderly (LORCHE). Confirm that the home has accurate emergency contact details at admission.

Care vouchers, CSSA, waiting lists...Policy questions, clearly answered.

What is the difference between an RCHE, a care-and-attention home, and a nursing home? Which one should I choose?

How frail does an older person need to be before a subsidised residential care home is suitable?

Home care, day care centre, or residential care home -- how do I know which is suitable?

What is the difference between a “subsidised place” and a “private place”?

How do I apply for the Central Waiting List? What documents are needed?

How long is the current wait for subsidised residential care places?

Can an older person move into a private home while waiting? Will it affect their queue position?

What is the Single Assessment Mechanism for Elderly Services? Who carries out the assessment?

How much are the monthly fees for subsidised residential care homes?

How much government subsidy can an older CSSA recipient get when living in a residential care home?

How do you apply for a Residential Care Service Voucher (RCSV), and how much is it worth?

What are the Guangdong Scheme and Fujian Scheme? Can you still receive Hong Kong allowances while retiring in Mainland China?

Do you need to pay a security deposit when moving into a residential care home, and how is it refunded when you leave?

What should I look for and ask about when visiting a care home?

How can I check whether a care home is licensed, and whether it has complaint records?

What ratio of care staff to older persons is reasonable?

Are homes under the Enhanced Bought Place Scheme (EBPS) always better?

What should you do if an older person struggles to adjust or becomes emotional after admission?

Can you visit a residential care home freely? Are there visiting-hour limits?

What is the process if an older person becomes ill in a residential care home or needs to be sent to hospital?

If you are dissatisfied with residential care home services or want to make a complaint, who can you contact?

How does On Yi Home calculate care home rankings?

Where does care home information come from, and how often is it updated?

What happens to information entered in Smart Matching? Will it be leaked to care homes?

Does On Yi Home charge families anything?

In-Depth Guides

Residential Care Services Overview: Types, Waiting List and RCSV

Hong Kong Elderly Care Policy Overview: Residential Care and Community Care

Carer Support Guide: Respite Services, Living Allowance, and Training Resources

Not sure which option fits?

Care vouchers, CSSA, waiting lists...Policy questions, clearly answered.

What is the difference between an RCHE, a care-and-attention home, and a nursing home? Which one should I choose?

How frail does an older person need to be before a subsidised residential care home is suitable?

Home care, day care centre, or residential care home -- how do I know which is suitable?

What is the difference between a “subsidised place” and a “private place”?

How do I apply for the Central Waiting List? What documents are needed?

How long is the current wait for subsidised residential care places?

Can an older person move into a private home while waiting? Will it affect their queue position?

What is the Single Assessment Mechanism for Elderly Services? Who carries out the assessment?

How much are the monthly fees for subsidised residential care homes?

How much government subsidy can an older CSSA recipient get when living in a residential care home?

How do you apply for a Residential Care Service Voucher (RCSV), and how much is it worth?

What are the Guangdong Scheme and Fujian Scheme? Can you still receive Hong Kong allowances while retiring in Mainland China?

Do you need to pay a security deposit when moving into a residential care home, and how is it refunded when you leave?

What should I look for and ask about when visiting a care home?

How can I check whether a care home is licensed, and whether it has complaint records?

What ratio of care staff to older persons is reasonable?

Are homes under the Enhanced Bought Place Scheme (EBPS) always better?

What should you do if an older person struggles to adjust or becomes emotional after admission?

Can you visit a residential care home freely? Are there visiting-hour limits?

What is the process if an older person becomes ill in a residential care home or needs to be sent to hospital?

If you are dissatisfied with residential care home services or want to make a complaint, who can you contact?

How does On Yi Home calculate care home rankings?

Where does care home information come from, and how often is it updated?

What happens to information entered in Smart Matching? Will it be leaked to care homes?

Does On Yi Home charge families anything?

In-Depth Guides

Residential Care Services Overview: Types, Waiting List and RCSV

Hong Kong Elderly Care Policy Overview: Residential Care and Community Care

Carer Support Guide: Respite Services, Living Allowance, and Training Resources

Not sure which option fits?

Care vouchers, CSSA, waiting lists...
Policy questions, clearly answered.

Care vouchers, CSSA, waiting lists...
Policy questions, clearly answered.