By Zhang Jiahui, Research Department of Social Development, DRC

Research Report, No.90, 2021 (Total 6155) 2021-4-20

Abstract: The complexity of elderly health care services requires the coordination and continuity of health care services of all kinds at a higher level. In recent years, the elderly health care service system has registered a fast development while there still exist some short links in some fields. For example, the service supply and fund-raising lack the coordination among different agencies and departments at different stages, which led to the insufficient connectivity of health care information and hindered the continuity and coordination of health care services of all kinds. This has also brought inconvenience to the elderly with impact on their health conditions and unnecessary waste of medical care resources. To solve the problems, this paper has offered the following policy options. First, joint efforts from all sectors need to be fully mobilized with focus on the health care service demand and target at providing integrated elderly heath care services so as to strengthen the weak links of elderly health care services. Secondly, the cooperation among health care service providers of all types should be enhanced and efforts are needed to support the development of integrated health care institutes. Thirdly, the family-doctor-contract service system should be truly implemented by centering on the integration of health care service resources of all types in community level. Fourthly, the establishment of the regional comprehensive information platform and connectivity of health care information need to be promoted. Fifthly, fund-raising and payment systems should be improved and the health care education and training guidance for the elderly and their families need to be strengthened so as to better integrate elderly health care services.

Keywords: elderly people, demand-oriented, integrated health care services