What is the current state of aged care in China?
Answer from top 10 papers
The aging population in China presents a complex challenge, with a significant increase in the number of individuals aged 65 and above, necessitating the development of integrated medical and elderly care services (Qin et al., 2023). Despite the establishment of various service models and the promotion of home/community-based care, there are persistent issues such as service supply-demand mismatch, limited financing, and a shortage of specialized professionals (Qin et al., 2023). Additionally, the acceptance of home/community-based services is influenced by factors such as satisfaction with local medical services, urban residency, health insurance, and the presence of chronic diseases (Jia & Wang, 2017).
Interestingly, while spouses are the primary caregivers, this role often comes at the cost of their own health, with negative effects such as depression and hypertension, particularly among female caregivers (Xiao, 2023). Moreover, the adoption of smart elderly care services and products is not widespread, hindered by a lack of understanding and willingness among the elderly (Hung, 2022). The demand for elderly care services is rising, with significant regional disparities influenced by economic development, healthcare provision, and educational attainment (Bian et al., 2023). The traditional elderly care model is increasingly seen as unsustainable, prompting the government to implement smart elderly care services (Liu et al., 2024).
Community-based services are deemed most appropriate for the aging population, but improvements in laws, insurance systems, and service quality are needed (Zhou, 2019). The State Council's action plan for smart and healthy elderly care indicates a move towards informationalisation and digitalisation, though barriers to massification remain (Huang, 2023). The government is also exploring Public-Private Partnerships to optimize financing for elderly care services (Zhang, 2023). Lastly, home- and community-based elderly care systems have been shown to significantly enhance life satisfaction among the elderly, especially for certain demographic groups (Ai et al., 2022).
In summary, China's approach to aged care is multifaceted, involving integrated services, smart technology, and community-based solutions. While progress has been made, challenges such as financing, professional shortages, and uneven service acceptance and provision persist. Addressing these issues is crucial for improving the well-being of China's elderly population (Ai et al., 2022; Bian et al., 2023; Huang, 2023; Hung, 2022; Jia & Wang, 2017; Liu et al., 2024; Qin et al., 2023; Xiao, 2023; Zhang, 2023; Zhou, 2019).
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