Caregiving In The Shadows: The Plight Of Local Caregivers

Have you ever thought about the biggest fear you would face if you were a caregiver for your loved one?

For 66-year-old Chan, who started his caregiving journey in 2015 for his 96-year-old mother suffering from swallowing difficulty, money and the uncertainty of death are his main concerns.

Currently, Chan’s mother is living at his sister’s home and getting care from a domestic helper. As he has an unpleasant experience with nursing home’s caregiving quality and safety concerns for hospitals, he believes that his own home is the best place to care for his mother.

Money and resources are the biggest obstacles for many caregivers in Hong Kong. Hiring a domestic helper or staying in a nursing home is not affordable for everyone. Therefore even Chan is in his 60s, he still needs to earn money in order to afford the daily costs of caregiving.

How does Chan's story reflect the current caregiving situation in Hong Kong? What is needed to improve Hong Kong’s quality of life and death?

Check out the story and you may find the answers!