Code of conduct to ensure high carer standards

The Ministry of Civil Affairs on Saturday issued a professional code of conduct for staff at elderly care homes, aiming to strengthen professional ethics and foster a greater sense of responsibility among caregivers.

The guideline sets out core principles for employee conduct, including compliance with laws and regulations, respect for residents' dignity and privacy, and a commitment to service safety. To protect the rights of the elderly, it includes explicit prohibitions — such as barring staff from disclosing personal or medical information, and forbidding them from soliciting or accepting money or gifts from residents or their families. It also prohibits employees from promoting health supplements, medications, or third-party products to residents.

Applicable to all personnel — from caregivers and medical staff to social workers and administrators — the code requires institutions to integrate ethics training into onboarding, promotion and ongoing professional development. Adherence will be considered in performance reviews, promotions and awards.

The ministry urged care facilities to establish psychological support systems to safeguard staff well-being and nurture a respectful, collaborative workplace.

The professional code of conduct forms part of a broader governmental effort to ensure the healthy development of the elderly care sector and safeguard the rights of the elderly.

As China's population ages, private and publicly-built-but-privately-operated institutions constitute over 70 percent of all elderly care facilities. While these entities drive sector growth, they have also introduced significant risks, including problematic prepaid fee schemes and inconsistent service quality.

The importance of such oversight was highlighted by a recent criminal case in Beijing. In March last year, at a nursing home in Xicheng district, a caregiver surnamed Zang assaulted an 85-year-old resident during a dispute over a delayed shaving service, kicking the man and causing a leg fracture. Following prosecution, the court sentenced Zang to eight months in prison, considering his confession and guilty plea. The case underscored the urgent need for enhanced oversight and professional standards mandated by the new regulatory framework.

In a related move, eight departments, including the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the State Administration for Market Regulation, in January rolled out measures to support the sector's development while ensuring market order. According to Li Banghua, director of the ministry's elderly care services division, the measures include expanding anti-fraud education for seniors and coordinating with regulators to tackle violations of elderly rights.

"Concentrated efforts will target behaviors such as exaggerating product efficacy, deceptive marketing and schemes like 'free tours' or 'health lectures' used to sell overpriced products," Li said. Violators will face severe penalties, while industry self-regulation will be enhanced to foster transparency and standardization.