Senior Citizen Residences Scheme

Beyond the standard facilities and property management services of a private estate, the Senior Citizen Residences Scheme is fundamentally designed with a host of age-friendly features and services. This integrated approach, combining both hardware and software, empowers tenants to live healthily and independently by promoting self-management and delaying age-related decline, to reside safely and securely within a supportive living environment, to enjoy an active social life by expanding social circles to reduce loneliness, and to build a mutual support neighbourhood, which supports an active ageing lifestyle for older adults.

Facilities 

Interior Fittings

• Emergency Call System: emergency call buttons/devices are installed in the bedroom, shower area and bathroom. 

• Threshold-less / Low Door Thresholds: enables easy movements for tenants, especially wheelchair users, within the home.

• Two-level Security Viewers: allow tenants with limited mobility or those in wheelchairs to easily look outside the door.

• Low-level Kitchen Cabinets: provide easy access to everyday items for tenants, including wheelchair users.

• Bathroom design: equipped with non-slip handrails and a heat lamp to provide a safe and comfortable bathing environment.

• Sliding / double-Swing Bathroom Door: allow for easier emergency access and support when needed.

Common Area Design

• Barrier-free Access: provides easy access to all facilities for tenants with limited mobility or using wheelchairs.

• Spacious Corridors with Handrails: provide adequate support while walking, reducing the risk of falls.

• Spacious Lifts: equipped with seating for tenants to rest, or to accommodate a stretcher to ensure seamless transfer of tenants to an ambulance in emergencies. 

• Multi-purpose Common Areas: feature spacious social areas with seating to encourage interaction among tenants, facilitating social activities and relaxation.

• Age-friendly Fitness Facilitates: a range of indoor and outdoor fitness facilitates tailored to older adults, focusing on resistance, balance, and cardio training. 

Services provided

• 24-hour Emergency Call Service: In case of an emergency, tenants can receive timely and appropriate support simply by pressing an emergency call button.

• Healthcare and Support Services by Multi-disciplinary Team*: With comprehensive professional healthcare and rehabilitation facilities and services, as well as residential care home within the same building, this allows tenants to receive appropriate support without having to leave the premises.

• Monthly Basic Health Checks & Annual Health Checks: Tenants are entitled to one free annual health check and monthly basic health check, letting them stay informed about their physical condition.

• Basic Home Inspection and Repair: Basic home inspections and repair services (excluding replacement parts costs), are available within designated hours.  Tenants can book the service and have professional technicians provide on-site assistance.

• Psychosocial Assessments, Consultations and Referrals: Upon move-in, registered social workers conduct a psychosocial assessment to help tenants understand their physical and mental health needs. With professional knowledge, patience, and strong communication skills, social workers provide appropriate referrals when necessary to ensure tenants receive the support they need.

• Social Activities and Recreational Facilities, Fitness Exercises and Talks*: A dedicated team provides diverse recreational facilities and social activities tailored to tenants’ interests and needs. These include festive celebrations, workshops, interest groups and thematic talks, etc, enabling tenants to enjoy a vibrant lifestyle, while meeting like-minded friends and expanding their social networks.

*Additional charge may be incurred. 

Applicants must be aged 60 or above, hold valid Hong Kong Identity Cards, and meet the financial ability stated in the Application Guide. Income includes pensions, while assets include properties, land in Hong Kong and overseas, bank deposits, company shares, insurance policies, and annuity plan, among other items.

Under the "Senior Citizen Residences Scheme", tenants pay a one-off entry contribution for a guaranteed "lease-for-life" arrangement. This allows them to reside for life, without having to worry about lease renewal or future rent increases. Tenants are only required to pay monthly management fee and basic care fee / holistic services fee, as well as Government Rates. 

By paying a “one-off” entry contribution, tenants can enjoy a worry-free retirement. After moving in, they are only required to pay monthly management and basic care fees/holistic services monthly fees, without having to worry about future lease renewals or rent increases, or unexpected major expenses such as building rehabilitation, lifts replacements, estate improvement projects, or equipment upgrades.

Furthermore, individuals considering the "Senior Citizen Residences Scheme" can explore applying for a reverse mortgage on their own property to meet their financial needs. This allows them to receive a monthly income or a lump-sum. They may also apply to rent out their property, receiving an extra rental income while enjoying their retirement. This provides the flexibility to invest in their well-being, leading to a more secure and adaptable retirement.

No, you do not. However, the value of private property or land, as well as any income derived from it, will be included in the assessment of your financial ability.

If a couple is a couple doubleton (please refer to the application guide for details), the remaining tenant may continue the lease and is not required to move out if one party terminates their tenancy or passes away.

Yes. The Senior Citizen Residences Scheme has an entry contribution refund arrangement. The actual refund decreases with the length of residency; the longer you have lived in the unit, the smaller the refund of the entry contribution you will receive.

*Less than one year will be deemed as one full year, and any period beyond an anniversary date will be counted as the second year.

The Senior Citizen Residences Scheme has a flexible waiting list mechanism, which arranges flat selection according to the order of the waiting list and the applicant's personal preferences. Naturally, units with better views and orientations are more popular and have longer queues. However, some applicants have successfully selected a unit and moved in within approximately one year of submitting their application.