Professional records for freelance carers

A population ageing faster than its workforce

The Census and Statistics Department projects that the share of residents aged 65 and over will rise from 20.5% in 2021 to 36.0% in 2046. Over the same period the elderly dependency ratio almost doubles, from about 300 to 632 elderly persons per 1,000 people aged 15-64. In practice, each care worker will be supporting more elders, with more complex needs, for years to come.

Census and Statistics Department, population projections 2022-2046Census and Statistics Department, projection tables (PDF)

An acute shortage of care workers

In 2023 the government launched the Special Scheme to Import Care Workers for Residential Care Homes to tackle what it called an acute shortage. The quota is capped at 7,000 imported care workers, with priority for local workers preserved. Teams are therefore more mixed than ever, and clear, structured records help new and experienced staff work from the same information.

GovHK, Special Scheme to Import Care Workers (2023)LegCo Panel on Welfare Services paper (February 2023)

Standing out as an independent professional

With demand for home care rising and trained carers in short supply, families and agencies look for professionals they can trust. Dated, structured records of every visit and regular summaries for the family show reliability far better than verbal reports.