Evaluating the effectiveness of AIP Scheme by HKHS : case studies of Cho Yiu Chuen and Ka Wai Chuen

Abstract

From the past Colonial period to present “one country, two system” period, the population of Hong Kong is still aging very rapidly and most of the elderly living under various public housing estates. As the longer time for the elderly residents living in one public estate, the stronger they wish to stay in their current home. And hence the elderly issues become popular and crucial topic for the government that it is time for the citizen and her to think about the concept of aging-in-place. Through the literature review, the concept of “aging-in-place” is defined to promote one’s ability to live in their current place with indignity, autonomy and security. While this concept includes not only elderly themselves, but the place and community they lived in. After studied the literature and related researches, I found the AIP Scheme promoted by Hong Kong Housing Society which aimed for applying the AIP concept into housing, social care and healthcare support to cater the changing need of frail elderly in its 20 public estates. Therefore, I take this opportunity to evaluate the effectiveness of AIP Scheme by Hong Kong Housing Society from choosing Cho Yiu Chuen and Ka Wai Chuen as case study. The AIP Scheme of Hong Kong Housing Society has limited achievement in Cho Yiu Chuen and Ka Wai Chuen through conducting questionnaire and short interview with elderly respondents in both estates. The findings showed that the Scheme is not familiar with the respondents who had not much idea about the approaches and scope of services in the whole generally. To some extent, the elderly are still willing to stay in their current residence in near future due to strong sense of belonging to their home and community. After consolidation and analysis of ideas from the case studies and opinions from respondents, recommendations on housing planning, short-term and long-term housing development, role of the government, co-ordination of network etc. are reviewed in order to obtain better quality of life for elderly and hence achieve successful AIP Scheme in the future.