Types of care homes in Hong Kong: care-and-attention vs nursing homes, and the English names
Facts checked 18 Oct 2026. Written by our editors from the official sources below; not yet reviewed by a social worker or nurse. Not medical, legal or financial advice.
By level of care
| Care-and-attention home (護理安老院) | Accommodation, meals, personal care and limited nursing care for elderly people in poor health or with physical or mild mental disabilities who need help with daily living. Some homes have continuum-of-care places, so residents can stay as their health declines. |
| Nursing home (護養院) | Regular basic medical and nursing care for elderly people who cannot be adequately cared for in a care-and-attention home but do not need the intensive care of a hospital. |
| Home for the aged (安老院宿位) | Accommodation for people who can largely look after themselves; very few such places remain. |
By how the home is run
- Subvented homes: run by NGOs with SWD subvention (subsidised homes).
- Contract homes: operators chosen by SWD through competitive bidding since 2001, with subsidised and non-subsidised places.
- EBPS homes: private homes in the Enhanced Bought Place Scheme (192, list).
- Self-financing homes: run by non-profits at their own fees; some are in the Nursing Home Place Purchase Scheme.
- Private homes: privately run homes licensed by SWD, at their own fees (427 outside the EBPS, list).
- Nursing homes registered with the Department of Health: a few non-profit nursing homes.