To confirm whether a care home is licensed, check the Social Welfare Department's lists of licensed residential care homes for the elderly, published by Hong Kong's 18 districts and available for download.
For past enforcement action, use the "Search for Residential Care Home for the Elderly" tool on Elderly Information Website (elderlyinfo.swd.gov.hk) to check a home's conviction records, warning records, and accreditation status.
However, note that:
- The Social Welfare Department does not publish complete complaint records or inspection reports. Complaints can be submitted to the Licensing Office of Residential Care Homes.
- SWD has 4 professional inspection teams that conduct irregular surprise inspections, including outside office hours.
- Enforcement is escalated in stages: written advice -> warning -> rectification notice -> prosecution.
Learn more -> browse the care home rankings as a reference when choosing a home.