ARTICLE

Plan ahead to ensure our beloved elderly get proper care

8-min read

Updated on 2026-10-30

Author: AIA Content Editorial Team

Our parents took care of us as children, so it's only fair that we ensure they receive the best care as they get older, so they can enjoy their golden years.
However, many elderly people suffer from chronic diseases and the cost of treatment and recovery from these diseases can be high. This can inevitably place heavy and long-term financial burdens on the elderly themselves and their families.

Common Diseases Among the Elderly

Alzheimer's disease, one of the most common degenerative brain disorder diseases and it is irreversible. However, elderly diagnosis and continuous treatments are helpful in slowing down the progression of the disease. ¹

Degenerative Brain Disorder Diseases Dementia is ranked no.7 of Leading Causes of Death. ²
Estimated number of patients in Hong Kong will increase by 3 times in 30 years. ³

Elderly care-senior health care-elderly insurance

Life insurance for seniors-elderly health care-elderly medical care

Health care costs for dementia found greater than cancer and heart disease. ⁴

Always take care of the elderly's health for maximum protection

Prevention: Encourage seniors to exercise regularly and eat a balanced diet to maintain a healthy body and mind. At the same time, take care of the chronic conditions.
Prediction: Pay attention to their physical condition. Ensure the seniors get regular health checks and assess their health risks so they can detect and address potential issues early.
Diagnosis: When a health issue occurs, encourage the elderly to seek professional advice and get a detailed examination so they can determine the most suitable healthcare solution.
Treatment: Comprehensive medical and critical illness protection can provide financial support, even in the event of a serious illness, and ensure the elderly receive appropriate treatment as soon as possible.
Rehabilitation: During long recovery periods, thoughtful recovery plans and follow-up treatments have proven to be essential. A comprehensive plan that covers additional nursing services, ensures the elderly can recover with peace of mind.

How to Choose Insurance for Seniors: Comparing VHIS, Accident Insurance and Life Insurance

Insurance Type	Coverage	Suitable For	Premium Calculation
Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme (VHIS)	Covers hospitalisation, surgeries, cancer treatment, unknown pre-existing conditions, and reimburses eligible medical expenses.	Seniors concerned about high long-term medical costs and those seeking high-quality medical services.	Premiums are adjusted according to age.
Accident Insurance	Covers accidental fractures, injuries from falls, physiotherapy, accidental death or disability.	Seniors who want protection against home accidents, osteoporosis risks, or post-surgery rehabilitation needs.	Depends on the insured amount and occupation risk.
Life Insurance	Provides death benefits, estate planning and policy value accumulation.	Seniors who want to leave financial support for their family or have inheritance planning needs.	Depends on the premium payment term and coverage amount.

4 Common Pitfalls When Buying Elderly Insurance

1. Age Limits for Insurance Applications

Some medical insurance plans set a maximum entry age. Seniors should carefully review the eligibility and renewal age limits before purchasing elderly insurance.

2. Failure to Declare Pre-existing Conditions

Many seniors have chronic conditions such as hypertension or diabetes. Failing to disclose these conditions during the application process may cause disputes when filing claims.

3. Policy Exclusions

Certain treatments or procedures, such as cosmetic treatments or non-essential health check-ups, may not be covered under elderly insurance policies.

4. Claim Limits

Different insurance plans calculate claim limits differently. For major surgeries, a low coverage limit may result in out-of-pocket expenses. It is recommended to review the insurance provider's past claim practices when choosing a plan.

Elderly Insurance FAQ

VHIS plans generally cover unknown pre-existing conditions at the time of application. However, for diagnosed chronic diseases, insurers may impose additional premium or specific exclusions. It is recommended to review the policy terms carefully before applying.

Life insurance for seniors mainly provides death benefits to cover funeral expenses, or serves as a financial planning tool for wealth accumulation and estate transfer, ensuring financial support for family members.

During diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation, it is important to keep complete medical reports and receipts. Consulting a professional insurance advisor can also help ensure smoother claims processing for elderly insurance policies.

^{This above information is general information and for reference only, and should not be considered as a medical, diagnosis or professional recommendation, and cannot replace any medical, diagnosis or professional recommendation from doctors. Independent professional advice should be sought from an appropriate qualified medical professional (such as doctors) before making any decision on the topics mentioned above. Treatment may vary according to individual circumstances. If in doubt, you may ask your doctor. If necessary, you may seek other medical advice as soon as possible and do not ignore or delay seeking medical advice / treatment. AlA assumed no liability for any loss or damage arising directly or indirectly from the use, misuse, understanding or application of any of the above information.}

^{This webpage is for view in Hong Kong/Macau only. The above information is for general reference only. It does not constitute as an offer and/or insurance product recommendation. The product information in this webpage does not contain the full terms of the product. For details of the product features, terms and conditions, exclusions and key product risks, you may refer to the relevant product brochure and policy contract of relevant products. In case you want to read policy contract sample before making an application, you can obtain a copy from AIA. Life insurance policies are long-term contracts of insurance.}

^{The copyright of this information belongs to AIA. No part of the contents of this information may be reproduced or plagiarised without the written consent of AIA. You may not copy or store any contents hereof to or onto any other websites or content platforms.}

^{AIA does not guarantee the accuracy and completeness of the contents of and information as set out in this publication, nor be held liable for any contents of or services and/or products as mentioned in this publication. In case of any infringement and/or legal issues, AIA absolutely reserves the right to pursue any liability and compensation thereof against any person or entity.}

Hospital Authority – Smart Patient – Dementia. [Accessed on 24 February, 2026]. https://www.smartpatient.ha.org.hk/en/smart-patient-web/disease-management/disease-information/disease/Dementia
Website of the Centre for Health Protection, 2001-2020 figures. [Accessed on 24 February, 2026]. https://www.chp.gov.hk/en/statistics/data/10/27/117.html
The Hong Kong Alzheimer's Disease Association. [Accessed on 24 February, 2026]. https://www.eng.hkada.org.hk/
Website of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2015 analysis. [Accessed on 24 February, 2026]. https://www.nia.nih.gov/news/health-care-costs-dementia-found-greater-any-other-disease

You may also be interested in

Article

Lack of financial reserves can ruin your retirement

3-min

Article

Ensure your children get a head start in life with a solid education fund

3-min

Article

Secure your future health with a sound lifestyle and a comprehensive protection plan

3-min

Article

As your wealth accumulates your life goals become greater

3-min

Recommended product categories

Critical illness Protection

Get financial help for critical illness so you can focus on recovery.

Medical Protection

Enjoy different options to help you cope with rising medical costs.

Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme

Government-certified medical plans with medical protection and tax deductions.

Severity-based Health Protection

Receive payouts based on a clear scoring table according to the severity of your medical journey.

Accident & Other Protections

Receive the support you need for unpredictable cases.

Contact us now

^{*Required fields}

Are you an existing customer?*

No Yes

Policy number (optional)

First Name*
Last Name*
What's your phone number?*
What's your email?*
Preferred Contact Method*
Preferred Language*

I agree to the relevant AIA Entity's use of my personal data for the above purposes in accordance with the Personal Information Collection Statement. I further consent to the relevant AIA Entity's use of my personal data provided above for the AIA Entity's financial planner to contact me.

Additional Info

campID

campName

Date of birth

PlanCode

ProdName

Contact us now

^{*Required fields}

Are you an existing customer?*

No Yes

Policy number (optional)

First Name*
Last Name*
What's your phone number?*
What's your email?*
Preferred Contact Method*
Preferred Language*

I agree to the relevant AIA Entity's use of my personal data for the above purposes in accordance with the Personal Information Collection Statement. I further consent to the relevant AIA Entity's use of my personal data provided above for the AIA Entity's financial planner to contact me.

Additional Info

campID

campName

Date of birth

PlanCode

ProdName

Plan ahead to ensure our beloved elderly get proper care

Common Diseases Among the Elderly

Always take care of the elderly's health for maximum protection

How to Choose Insurance for Seniors: Comparing VHIS, Accident Insurance and Life Insurance