By Wang Liejun, Ge Yanfeng & Zhang Jiahui, Research Team on "Strategies for Advancing Health-Wellness-Based Old-age Care", Research Department of Social Development,DRC

Research Report, No.225, 2019 (Total 5725) 2019-12-16

Abstract:In view of the increased number of senior citizens based on a positive stance, the goal of elderly care service is to provide care for the elderly while maintaining and improving their ability to live independently as much as possible. To achieve this goal, we need to make appropriate strategic options for the development of China’s elderly care service system according to the national conditions, which include the following aspects. 1. We need to change the direction of fiscal input, truly implement the principle of providing home and community-based services for the elderly, and expedite the construction of home-based service networks. 2. We need to try every possible means to increase the number of elderly care service centers in urban areas, focus on supporting the establishment of elderly care institutions for the disabled and mentally retarded as well as the community-based institutions, so as to reduce structural conflicts in the construction of elderly care institutions. 3. We need to take comprehensive measures to deal with the shortage issue of elderly care workers and accelerate the replacement of intelligent elderly care equipment for manpower. 4. We need to establish a sustainable financing mechanism for long-term care, and focus on the building of a social assistance system in the short to medium term. 5. We need to promote the effective connection between medical services and long-term care services based on community, but not simply emphasize the integration at institutional level.

Key words: aging society, elderly care service, strategy, long-term care