The provision of medical services for elderly patients is a priority area. Geriatric services are provided in all acute and extended care hospitals. Community geriatric assessment teams and psychogeriatric teams provide outreach specialist support to elderly persons living in subvented and private residential care homes as well as to their carers. During the year, 395 034 and 37 404 outreach services attendances were served by the community geriatric assessment teams and psychogeriatric teams, respectively. Public hospitals also provide 567 geriatric day places for elderly patients.

    The Department of Health provides Elderly Health Services through 18 elderly health centres and 18 visiting health teams to enhance primary health care for the elderly, improve their self-care ability, encourage healthy living and strengthen family support so as to minimise illness and disability. Elderly health centres provide integrated health service including health assessment, physical check up, counselling, curative treatment, and health education to people aged 65 and above. Visiting health teams reach into the community and residential care settings to conduct health promotion activities for the elderly and to provide training to carers to enhance their health knowledge and skills in caring for the elderly.