Mutual Assistance in Aging Issues and Countermeasures in the Central Urban Area of Chongqing

Abstract

As the aging population intensifies, the service supply of elderly care institutions such as nursing homes and community elderly care service centers is relatively insufficient, failing to adequately address the diverse elderly care needs. The combination of mutual assistance elderly care and the framework of “Family + Community + Institution” enables the elderly to have a better elderly care experience within their familiar environment. This approach better fulfills the demands of home-based elderly care and optimizes the efficient allocation of elderly care resources. It is a new elderly care model widely accepted by urban community residents. A survey of mutual assistance elderly care practices across nine districts of the main city of Chongqing revealed representative models of community mutual assistance elderly care, including community mutual care organizations, “time bank” mutual care models, elderly care service organizations, and elderly community universities. Some practices and innovations in urban mutual assistance elderly care in Chongqing have provided useful exploration for actively addressing the issue of aging. However, there are still issues such as an incomplete urban community mutual assistance elderly care system, poor management and supervision, low social participation, and resource scarcity. Hence, this study seeks to explore the developmental obstacles encountered by mutual assistance and elderly care in Chongqing urban communities. It aims to propose practical and feasible suggestions and plans, ultimately promoting the healthy and sustainable development of the mutual assistance and elderly care model in urban communities in Chongqing.