Health needs grew more complex among Hong Kong care applicants
An analysis of 315,556 applicants aged 60 and older during 2001–2019 found rising levels of memory and thinking impairment.
Our read
Populations- Studied:
- Study in people
Editor of record: Boris Djordjevic · AgingResearch.News
Hong Kong adults aged 60 and older who applied for publicly funded long-term care were studied in an observational analysis of 315,556 applicants assessed from 2001 to 2019. Researchers analyzed care assessments and adjusted trends for age, when applicants were born, and social and demographic factors.
Memory and thinking impairment increased, as did multimorbidity, meaning having multiple health conditions. Physical impairment leveled off, while loneliness declined. Applicants aged 85 and older had more functional impairments but less multimorbidity. Stroke was associated with greater physical and cognitive impairment. The authors concluded that applicants’ needs became more complex and varied over time, with differences by age, living arrangements and disease profiles.
Why it matters
Planning long-term care in an aging society depends on understanding changing health and social needs. The authors said the findings support integrated services tailored to applicants’ differing needs.
Caveats
The analysis covered people applying for publicly funded long-term care, so the trends may not extend to older adults in Hong Kong who did not apply.
The paper
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Journal of Aging and Health, Nov 13, 2026
Comments
Be the first to comment.