Grassroots Elderly Struggle to Make Advance Medical Directives After Legislation
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The new law on advance medical directives took effect at end-July 2026. Hong Kong Free Press reported on 26 October that grassroots elderly people such as 78-year-old Ms Fung and 83-year-old Ms Lee wish to make directives but are deterred by private clinic fees of about HK$3,000. The report said public hospitals currently mainly help terminally ill patients make directives, and family doctor services are not yet widespread; a social worker said many elderly people do not know how to exercise the right. The report concluded that grassroots elderly people find it difficult to make advance medical directives because of costs and inadequate services.
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- Hong Kong Free PressAfter 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.
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