• Also known as a “home for the aged”, old folks’ homes are responsible for providing day-to-day care to the elderly, besides offering medical care services and recreational activities. Elderly people living in these homes are referred to as “residents”.
• According to the Home for the Aged Act 1988, an old folks’ home refers to a home or building which houses at least five healthy or disabled persons aged 60 or above. This does not include elderly who are sick and in need of treatment, injured and require follow-up or rehabilitation, and terminally ill or dying.
• Old folks’ homes are generally private or non-governmental organisations, operating in the form of enterprises. Expenses are paid for by the families or children of residents.
• Old folks’ homes are different from sheltered housing. Since 1994, the government has funded the construction of homes for the aged and hired special personnel to take care of the elderly. Sheltered housing residents must apply for accommodation, which is only provided for elderly residents who are 60 years old or above and are not financially independent. Seniors who do not have relatives to take care of them or cannot get along with their relatives are also eligible to apply for acommodation. Accommodation in sheltered housing is either free or requires a nominal fee.

敬老院 (Mainland China), 养老院 (Mainland China)，护老院 (Hong Kong, Macau)，老人院 (Hong Kong, Macau)