An evaluation of the pilot scheme on community care service vouchers for the elderly in Hong Kong

Abstract

The Pilot Scheme on Community Care Service Vouchers for the Elderly (CCSVs) from 2013 onward aims at empowering users with autonomy in choosing services and service providers, enhancing financial sustainability of community care services (CCSs) and encouraging participation by service providers. This article analyses the effectiveness of the CCSVs in terms of utilization rate, attrition rate and reasons for withdrawal, and provides sound short-, medium- and long-term recommendations for CCSs. Secondary data from the annual survey conducted by the Social Welfare Department with all voucher holders in the first (2013–2017) and second phases (2016–2020) were used. The utilization rate of the CCSVs in the first phase was satisfactory, but the second phase was constrained by a low utilization rate, as 17%–35% of the CCSV holders did not use their vouchers to purchase CCSs. Moreover, the high attrition rate of CCSV holders in both phases warrants special attention.