The hidden caregiver crisis
For many Hong Kong families, caring for an ageing parent or a loved one with a serious illness has become part of everyday life. Behind closed doors, however, countless caregivers are quietly carrying an emotional and physical burden that few people truly understand.
They wake up before dawn to prepare medications, accompany medical appointments, juggle work and family responsibilities, and stay awake through sleepless nights. Many describe caregiving as running a marathon with no finish line.
As Hong Kong’s population continues to age, caregiver stress has become an increasingly urgent social issue. Yet while much attention is placed on caring for patients, the needs of caregivers are often overlooked.
At Haven of Hope Christian Service (HOHCS), supporting caregivers has long been part of its mission of “Respecting Life • Impacting Life.” Beyond medical and community care, the organisation provides holistic support that addresses caregivers’ physical, emotional, social and spiritual well-being, helping families navigate one of life’s most challenging journeys.
The greatest burden is often the unknown
Through years of serving families, HOHCS has observed that one of the biggest sources of caregiver stress is not simply the workload—it is uncertainty.
As a loved one’s condition deteriorates, many families struggle with difficult questions. Should aggressive treatment continue? What kind of care would the patient truly want? Who should make decisions if the patient can no longer speak for themselves?
Without clear discussions beforehand, these decisions often fall on exhausted family members during moments of crisis, leaving them overwhelmed by anxiety, guilt and uncertainty.
A conversation that can change everything
This is where Advance Care Planning (ACP) can make a meaningful difference.
ACP encourages individuals, while they still have mental capacity, to discuss their values, treatment preferences and future care wishes with their family and healthcare professionals.
Rather than focusing on death, ACP is about ensuring that a person’s wishes are understood and respected, while giving family members greater confidence when difficult decisions arise.
For many caregivers, these conversations provide reassurance, reduce uncertainty and ease the emotional burden that often accompanies serious illness.
Awareness remains low
Although the Government has been promoting Advance Care Planning in recent years, public awareness remains limited. Many people have heard the term but are unsure what it actually involves, while others mistakenly believe it is only relevant during the final days of life.
To better understand these barriers, HOHCS has launched an in-depth study exploring public awareness and perceptions of ACP. The findings aim to identify practical ways to improve understanding and encourage earlier conversations among families.
HOHCS believes that promoting Advance Care Planning is not only about preparing for future healthcare decisions—it is also about supporting caregivers today.
Because sometimes, one honest conversation can lift a burden that families have silently carried for years.
For more information go to: https://hohcs.org.hk/en/
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