Current Status of Elder Care: Examining the Root Causes from the Ombudsman’s Report

Recently, the Ombudsman published a proactive investigation report on respite services for seniors and people with disabilities in Hong Kong, revealing the long-standing issue of low overall service utilization rates. The utilization rate for elder respite services ranges from 50% to 60%, while for people with disabilities, it is as low as 10% to 20%, with some areas reporting rates below 10%. This reflects significant gaps in the actual operation of the current public care system.

The investigation pointed out that several service units require applicants to attend in-person interviews, undergo additional medical examinations, and submit complicated documentation. There are even instances of “selective admission” and “self-imposed barriers.” For caregivers in immediate need of support, these administrative obstacles not only deter them but also cause many seniors to miss timely assistance.

The core message of this report is clear: Hong Kong's elder care model must transform from a system of waiting to a support model oriented towards "flexibility, speed, and personalization." In this process, the collaboration between professional private nursing services and government care policies is becoming a key direction for future development.

1. The Rise of Private Nursing Services: Filling Gaps in Public Care

As the public nursing system encounters mismatches in demand due to lengthy application procedures and uneven resource allocation, many families are beginning to seek more flexible and adaptable solutions. This is where the value of private nursing and professional care services becomes essential.

Nu Pro Nurse Centre stands at the forefront of this transformation, committed to providing comprehensive private nursing solutions that cover home care, post-operative care, rehabilitation support, and companionship for seniors. We firmly believe that each elder has unique living patterns and medical needs, and thus, service design must be person-centered rather than system-centered.

Here are some core features of Nu Pro Nurse's services:

• Professional Registered Nursing Team: Comprising nurses, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists with recognized qualifications in Hong Kong, providing round-the-clock support to clients.
• Personalized Care Plans: Whether it’s post-operative care, long-term chronic disease management, or temporary respite support, dedicated consultants tailor solutions for each case.
• Flexible Scheduling: Options for same-day visits or extended hours to help families manage unexpected health situations.
• Psychological and Social Support: Emphasizing emotional care and companionship, ensuring seniors feel respected, safe, and loved.

These seemingly minor details represent areas that traditional residential services often overlook. When we talk about "elder care," it is no longer just about feeding and bathing; it encompasses integrated support for physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

2. Combining the "Community and Residential Care Service Voucher" (CCSV): Flexible Choices for Senior Families

The Hong Kong government’s "Community and Residential Care Service Voucher" (CCSV) program is designed to allow seniors to flexibly choose suitable service providers. For instance, eligible seniors can use service vouchers to cover part of the costs for day care centers, home nursing, or respite services, alleviating caregiving pressure.

However, many families are unaware that they can utilize private nursing services, like those from Nu Pro Nurse Centre, alongside government services to create a flexible care arrangement that is "half public, half chosen."

Such a hybrid model can effectively address three major pain points:

• Long Waiting Times: When public beds or services require months or even years of waiting, private nursing can provide temporary support.
• Inadequate Service Flexibility: Private nursing can fill gaps for extended hours or specific nursing tasks not covered by service vouchers.
• Variable Family Needs: Some seniors may only require short-term nursing (e.g., post-operative care) that is not covered by public long-term funding, and private services can fill this gap.

3. Nu Pro Nurse Centre: Community-Based Integrated Care Philosophy

Nu Pro Nurse Centre has been deeply involved in the Hong Kong nursing market for many years, with a core philosophy of "person-centered care, professional protection, and flexible support." Our care approach differs from typical commercial entities, resembling more of a "community healthcare partner":

• Balanced Elder Care and Rehabilitation Training: Assisting mobility-impaired seniors with daily stretching and muscle training to reduce fall risks.
• Specialized Post-Operative Care: Providing family-style nursing support for post-operative recovery or other surgical patients.
• Cross-Professional Collaboration Network: Partnering with medical clinics, rehabilitation centers, and community housing to offer multi-level care connections.
• Always-Available Private Nursing Team: Ready to respond to care needs 365 days a year.

At the same time, we actively assist families in applying for, understanding, and utilizing community care service vouchers, ensuring that financial burdens do not hinder access to quality care.

Nu Pro believes that care should not be limited to "standard services," but should be flexibly designed according to each senior's health condition, family support, and lifestyle. This is key to transforming Hong Kong’s elder care model.

4. Nu Pro Nurse Centre Combines CCSV Community Vouchers to Fund Medical Equipment Rentals for Seniors’ Urgent Needs

In addition to offering personalized private nursing services, Nu Pro Nurse Centre is taking a step further by promoting a new direction that merges "technology and care." Through the government’s CCSV program, Nu Pro has launched a medical equipment rental service, allowing seniors and their families to flexibly use community vouchers to rent various high-quality assistive medical products. This alleviates financial burdens while improving seniors' quality of life and independence.

The rental service covers a range of assistive medical equipment, including mobility aids, electric nursing beds, pressure sore prevention mattresses and cushions, multifunctional care aids, and rehabilitation exercise equipment, fully supporting the three domains of living assistance, mobility assistance, and caregiving. All equipment is carefully selected by professional nursing consultants to ensure safety and practicality, and is installed and adjusted by technicians for the peace of mind of seniors and their families.

Importantly, Nu Pro's professional team not only provides equipment but also offers personalized advice based on each senior's health status and home environment, helping families understand how to flexibly utilize resources through community vouchers (CCSV) in conjunction with private nursing services, creating a professional yet economical "comprehensive care solution." This integrated support allows seniors to recover safely at home, move freely, and enjoy a quality aging life that combines technology with human care.

Nu Pro firmly believes that "care" is not merely a service but a mission that connects professionalism, government support, and familial love. We will continue to innovate and collaborate across sectors to promote more CCSV-funded assistive equipment rental and private nursing combinations, ensuring that every senior can age with dignity and comfort.

5. From a Policy Perspective: Diverse Care is the Future Trend

Hong Kong is experiencing rapid population aging. According to government statistics, it is projected that by 2039, seniors aged 65 and above will account for more than one-third of the total population. Relying solely on government beds and traditional residential care is insufficient to meet the rising demand. Therefore, policy directions are gradually shifting towards an "inclusive care ecosystem":

• Government: Establishing support frameworks and service vouchers, providing funding and regulation to encourage private and community entities to participate in elder care.
• Non-Governmental Organizations: Building regional networks and referral platforms, providing information, education, and consulting services to raise public awareness of care.
• Private Nursing Brands (like Nu Pro Nurse Centre): Offering high-quality, "on-demand" professional nursing to assist the government in achieving its goal of localized aging for seniors.

This public-private collaborative structure enables seniors and their families to flexibly choose from various levels of care services, such as:

• Paying part of the costs with service vouchers while hiring private nursing for specialized support.
• Using Nu Pro's home nursing services for a short term and then transitioning to a day center.
• Continuing to have private nursing accompany daily life after rehabilitation.

This flexible combination of care models can truly transform "aging in the community" from a slogan into practice.

6. From Respite to Sustainability: The Future Vision for Elder Care in Hong Kong

If the Ombudsman's report reveals the core issues, then Nu Pro's practical model is a potential solution.

The future of elder care in Hong Kong should encompass the following five elements:

• System Flexibility: Simplifying administrative applications and reducing "multiple barriers."
• Cross-Sector Collaboration: Establishing referral and information-sharing among social services, private organizations, and NGOs.
• Centralized Family Support: Caregivers are no longer isolated.
• Technology-Assisted Monitoring: Ensuring safety through telemedicine and health monitoring devices.
• People-Centered Care: Every senior is viewed as a dignified, independent individual with choices.

Nu Pro Nurse Centre will continue to combine professionalism and sincerity with community care policies and private flexible services to create a truly "grounded nursing model" that meets the realities of Hong Kong society.

Let professional nursing enter every home, allowing every senior to age with peace of mind.
When society discusses the low utilization rate of respite services, we should not just criticize the data but recognize the structural needs behind it.
Nu Pro Nurse Centre demonstrates through practical action that when private nursing, care services, and the government's community and residential care service voucher policies combine, they can provide caregivers and seniors with more immediate, affordable, and sustainable options.