According to data released by the Research Office of the Legislative Council Secretariat, the population
aged 65 and above (i.e., the elderly population) more than doubled to 1.68 million people, representing
22.4% of the total population, between 1997 and 2023. There are 79,100 elderly residents in residential care
services, with many terminally ill patients preferring to receive care in familiar surroundings, although many
still pass away in hospitals. Recently, the government announced in the Gazette that starting from June 3,
2024, if a resident of a care home is diagnosed with a terminal illness during their lifetime and receives
treatment from a registered doctor within 14 days before passing away, and the death certificate shows a
natural cause of death, then the death case does not need to be reported to the Coroner's Court. This new
arrangement will make it easier for terminally ill patients residing in care homes to choose to pass away in
familiar surroundings.
With the support of the Vera Ruttonjee Desai Charitable Fund, The Hong Kong Chinese Christian
Churches Union Kwong Yum Care Home (Integrated Aged Care Service) established the " Vera Ruttonjee
Desai Spiritual End of Life Care Centre" in 2021, provide short-term accommodation services for elderly
terminally ill patients facing economic difficulties. Despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the
centre has provided services to 504 elderly individuals and their families from 2021 to 2024, totalling
13,332 Namaste CareTM services. Since the amendment of the legislation on dying at one's place of
residence, three elderly individuals have peacefully passed away in their respective nursing homes.
Superintendent, The Hong Kong Chinese Christian Churches Union Kwong Yum Care Home
(Integrated Aged Care Service),Vennus Ho Yuen-wai, "With the establishment of the " Vera Ruttonjee Desai
Spiritual End of Life Care Centre" in 2021 to address the lack of sufficient resources and facilities in the
community to promote end-of-life care, the centre provides high-quality end of life care services in a
peaceful late-stage care facility. Recognizing the insufficient knowledge, training, and resources for end of life care in Hong Kong's community/care facilities, we not only train our staff but also have organized seven
public lectures (with a total of 940 participants) and provided spiritual care volunteer training to 95 members
of the public. Additionally, we establish connections with palliative care units in hospitals, community
elderly assessment outreach teams, medical social workers, and stakeholders to collaborate and enhance
end-of-life services for the elderly in Hong Kong.
Furthermore, we initiate discussions for each elderly individual regarding advance care planning and
increase awareness about advance directives. We also provide bereavement support for family members and post-end-of-life support services for the elderly.”
Based on data from the past three years, among the 252 elderly individuals served, the average age
was 82 years old, with an average length of stay of 105 days. 61.4% of the elderly did not have plans to
queue for community/care home services but were required to be discharged from the hospital. Therefore,
they applied for services at the "Vera Ruttonjee Desai Spiritual End of Life Care Centre" to receive timely
and comprehensive spiritual end-of-life care services, enabling elderly individuals and their families facing
financial difficulties to journey together through life's final stretch. Regarding the types of terminal illnesses,
digestive system/gastrointestinal cancers accounted for 34.%, respiratory system cancers accounted for
19.3%, and genitourinary system cancers accounted for 10.1%.
Superintendent Vennus Ho Yuen-wai shared, "Elderly individuals in the late stages experience rapid
physical decline and have to face a new and unfamiliar environment. It is understandable that this can be
daunting for both the elderly and their family caregivers. However, we affirm life and view death as a natural
process. We have introduced the 'Namaste CareTM' model, which has been implemented in 12 countries or
regions worldwide. This model integrates elements such as quiet comfort, multi-sensory stimulation, and a
loving-touch approach to alleviate symptoms and enhance overall quality of life for the elderly. We also
respect the autonomy and choices of the elderly in our services based on their culture, values, and lifestyle,
aiming to uphold their dignity and provide opportunities for personal and spiritual growth amid the
challenges of spiritual end-of-life care. This approach helps elderly individuals and their families cope with
illness and the pain of loss."
We have invited the Department of Social Work and Social Administration at The University of
Hong Kong to conduct research, led by Prof. Amy Y.M. CHOW, Si Yuan Professor Health and Social
Work, the University of Hong Kong, as the project leader, the study aims to understand the impact of
centre services on the late life of the elderly and caregivers through quantitative and qualitative
assessments, involving interviews with the elderly, family members, and staff. Prof. CHOW pointed out
that, "In quantitative research, it was found that although the elderly receiving end of life care services are
in the final stages of life, within 3 months and 6 months after receiving the service, their physical,
emotional, and practical distress did not increase. Especially for those who passed away within 6 months,
the physical condition of service users remained good while the comparison group deteriorated.
Additionally, the depression and anxiety levels of family members using the service significantly
decreased after 3 months and further reduced at the 6-month mark. Caregiver stress also decreased. In
qualitative research, family members shared that 'food' and 'people' are determining factors for the quality
of care."
In January 2023, Ms. Grace Li’s father moved into the "Vera Ruttonjee Desai Spiritual End of Life
Care Centre." Mr. Li had prostate cancer that had spread to his bones, causing pain in various parts of his
body. Due to the challenges of caregiving, he transitioned to the care home. Initially, he struggled to adapt,
but after a month of residing in the centre and participating in various activities such as aromatherapy
massages, harp therapy, expressive arts therapy, and morning prayers, he found inner peace.
Mr. Li passed away in October 2023, and Grace remembers her father's frequent visits to the hospital
before his passing. She recalls her father's serene demeanour and comforting smile during his time at the
care home. Despite not showing fear, he peacefully completed his life's journey. The only regret was that
the dying in place legislation had not been amended at that time, preventing long-term patients like her
father from choosing to pass away in a familiar care home environment. Instead, he had to go through the
turmoil of being sent to the hospital in a semi-conscious state, taking two and a half days to pass away.
During his final days, the family could only visit him at designated times in the hospital. Grace believes that
if her father could have passed away at the care home, he would have been spared the anxiety of hospital
visits. The hospital's restrictive care practices caused him distress, leading to confusion and agitation.
Reflecting on the importance of spiritual end-of-life care services a year after her father's passing,
Grace emphasizes that these services do not replace family caregiving but rather accompany and support it.
The centre's staff helped alleviate physical care burdens such as meal preparation and medication
administration, allowing families to focus on cherishing moments with their loved ones. Emotional
exchanges serve as the best pain reliever and comfort for the elderly. Grace learned to cherish every moment
spent together, knowing that these shared memories will be cherished in the future without regrets.
Superintendent Vennus Ho Yuen-wai, shared her insights on the recent experiences of elderly people
passing away in care homes. She said, "In the past, family caregivers have reported that when elderly people
are sent to the hospital, they need to be restrained or feel frightened by the atmosphere of the ward.
Additionally, family members cannot always be by their side. However, elderly people who pass away in
residential care home have a better quality of life, look more peaceful, and family members can provide
their loved ones with the final care without any constraints, thus mitigating the regrets associated with
death."
Spiritual End of Life Care Centre provides financial assistance to elderly individuals in the late stages who
are facing economic difficulties.
In 2025, Spiritual End of Life Care Centre expresses gratitude to the Tang's family and the S C Liang
Charitable Trust for their sponsorship. Starting in 2025, the centre operates with a new collaborative payment
and selection mechanism based on financial circumstances. This system will provide monthly subsidies for
accommodation costs, offering six months of comprehensive spiritual end-of-life care services for elderly
patients in the late stages who are facing financial difficulties.
To know more, please click
https://hkcccu.kych.org.hk/en/services/center/
