After Advance Directive Legislation, Grassroots Elderly Struggle to Make Directives Due to Costs and Inadequate Services

Hong Kong Free Press reports that after the new advance directive law took effect at end-July, grassroots elderly people such as 78-year-old Ms Fung and 83-year-old Ms Lee are interested in making directives but are deterred by private clinic fees of about HK$3,000. Public hospitals currently mainly help terminally ill patients make directives, and family doctor services are not widespread; a social worker said many elderly people do not understand how to exercise their rights.