To ascertain the living conditions of older adults living alone and elderly couples in Macao, and to enhance care for this demographic, the door-to-door survey for the ‘Survey and Registration of Older Adults Living Alone and Elderly Couples’ led by the Macao SAR Government's Social Welfare Bureau commenced in September. Adhering to its educational philosophy of ‘From Personhood to Benevolence’, Kiang Wu Nursing College of Macau (KWNC) encourages staff and students to actively participate in social services for the benefit of the community. To support this highly meaningful initiative by the SAR Government, the College, as a co-organising institution, has deployed staff and students as supervisors and interviewers, contributing professional expertise to facilitate the census.

The survey specifically targets older adults born in or before 1960 who hold a Macao Resident Identity Card and reside in Macao, living either alone or in two-elderly-person households (excluding domestic helpers). The core objective of this census is to systematically gather basic information and service needs of older adults in single-person and two-elderly-person households. This will progressively establish district-specific databases across Macao, providing data support for future geriatric service planning. Concurrently, it aims to enable rapid community support during emergencies, thereby strengthening the foundation for public safety and emergency preparedness.

According to the work arrangements, the primary responsibilities of the interviewers from KWNC are as follows: conducting home visits to assist older adults in completing the ‘Registration Form for Older Adults Living Alone or in Two-Person Households’ and the ‘Screening Questionnaire (ICOPE Functional Assessment Scale for Older Adults)’, systematically collecting basic information and health status details; for cases identified during the census as requiring special attention, coordinating relevant resources to provide corresponding support services, thereby assisting older adults in ageing in place. Furthermore, the Social Welfare Bureau and Health Bureau have established a collaborative mechanism to provide follow-up health care services for older adults with identified care needs, based on screening questionnaire assessments.

To ensure the census is conducted in an orderly and standardised manner, all Academy interviewers wear the Academy's red polo work uniform and carry a dedicated work ID issued by the Social Welfare Bureau when on duty. The ID displays the interviewer's name, photograph, ID number, and Academy name, and bears the Social Welfare Bureau's official seal, logo, and QR code. This dual identification system safeguards the credibility of the census and protects the rights of the older adults. Should no one answer the door during a visit, the interviewer will leave a notification card at the door or in the letterbox. This card details the relevant organisation's name, contact telephone number, and interviewer information. After recording the visit time, the interviewer will return at a later date. Eligible seniors may also proactively contact the organisation using the card details to schedule a census appointment.

The College will conduct door-to-door surveys in phases: Phase One from 12 to 19 December 2025, Phase Two from 29 December 2025 to 11 January 2026, and Phase Three in March 2026. Daily working hours are Monday to Sunday, 09:00-18:00. To express gratitude for their cooperation, elderly residents who complete the registration form and screening questionnaire will receive a MOP 20 supermarket voucher.

KWNC reminds residents that this census will not collect sensitive financial information such as bank account numbers, credit card details, or passwords. It will also not send website links via SMS. Senior citizens are advised to remain vigilant against scams. For enquiries, please contact the Social Welfare Bureau's survey hotline at 8399 7723 or 8399 7891 during office hours, where dedicated staff will respond.

As Macao's longest-established higher education institution for nursing, KWNC consistently fulfils its social responsibilities. Participation in this census represents a concrete action leveraging professional expertise to support the development of elderly care services. The College urges eligible seniors to actively cooperate with the census efforts, collectively advancing the quality of eldercare services in Macao and contributing to a more comprehensive elderly care system.