Hong Kong's residential care homes are licensed under different service categories that reflect the level of care they provide. Choosing the right category is not a matter of preference — it is a matter of matching the home's capability to the elder's care needs. A home licensed for one category may not be staffed or equipped for a higher level of care. This guide explains the categories and how to think about which one fits.
The four licensed home types
| Home type | Suitable for | Care level |
|---|---|---|
| Home for the Aged | Relatively independent elders | Low — general support, meals, light assistance |
| Care & Attention Home | Elders needing regular personal care | Medium — assistance with daily living, personal care, nursing observation |
| Nursing Home | Elders needing ongoing nursing care | High — professional nursing care, medical support |
| Hostel for the Elderly | Relatively independent elders wanting group living | Low — minimal assistance |
How to tell which type your family member needs
The formal determination of care level is made through the standardised care needs assessment conducted as part of the subsidised care application process. For private placements, the family and the home together assess whether the home can meet the elder's needs. The practical questions to consider: does the elder need help with bathing, dressing or toileting? Do they need regular nursing procedures (wound care, tube feeding, oxygen)? Do they have a medical condition requiring frequent monitoring? The more of these that apply, the higher the care level needed.
Continuum of care and mixed homes
Some homes are licensed to provide a continuum of care — meaning they can support a resident as their care needs increase, from Care & Attention through to Nursing Home level, without requiring a move. This can be valuable if you expect care needs to progress, because moving an elder between homes is disruptive. A home offering multiple place types (e.g. Home for the Aged places and Care & Attention places) is marked as "mixed" in our directory.
Compare homes by care typeFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between a Care and Attention Home and a Nursing Home?
A Care and Attention Home provides personal care and assistance with daily living for elders with moderate care needs — help with bathing, dressing, meals and general nursing observation. A Nursing Home provides a higher level of ongoing nursing and medical support, for elders with more intensive medical or nursing needs that exceed what a Care and Attention Home is staffed to provide. The distinction is about the level of professional nursing care, determined by the home's licence category under Cap. 459 and the resident's assessed care needs.