Most elderly people would like to spend the rest of their lives at home, yet home accidents are common among them. Age-related deterioration could be a reason making elderly more prone to home accidents, if the existing home design fails to meet the needs of elderly. In fact, the risk of accidents can be reduced through professional assessment and the modification of existing home environment.

The Elderly Resources Centre (ERC), the first of its kind in Hong Kong, was set up by the Hong Kong Housing Society in 2005. Through education, health screening, professional consultation and research by Occupational Therapist and Social Worker, ERC aims to promote the concept of “age-friendly home” so that “ageing in place” can be achieved.

ERC set up Mind-friendly Home Exploration Centre in late 2017, first of its kind in Hong Kong, to show applications on how to adopt a friendly home design for people with dementia, so as to support care-givers and facilitate elderly with dementia to live happily and independently.   

Established in 2022, the Age-Friendly Home Living Lab advocates the concept of ageing-in-place to the community with the application of user-driven and experience-based innovations.

According to the "Social Return on Investment"  study on ERC conducted by the Hong Kong University, HK$3.18 of social value generated for every HK$ 1 invested in ERC, that bring significant benefits to elders, caregivers as well as the society as a whole.

Service Delivery Concept

"Age-friendly home” is a home suitable for the elderly in terms of environment, lifestyle and ageing process, ensuring a safe and comfortable living in their late years. As people grow old, they are faced with different challenges from deterioration. Adjustments made to the elderly lifestyle and home environment will help them meet their changing care needs and remain in their own homes as long as possible.

1. Environment：
It includes home and outdoor design and facilities as well as relevant home services that cater for different needs of the elderly.

2. Ageing Process：
In the natural ageing process, there are changes in senses, cognition, physical functioning and psychological condition.

3.Elderly Lifestyle：
The elderly people have their own preferences, habits and patterns of behaviour.