Implementing the National Strategy for Actively Responding to Population Aging

Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the CPC Central Committee with Xi Jinping at its core has put a high priority on the response to population aging. President Xi has pointed out that meeting the diverse needs of China's vast elderly population and properly addressing the social issues arising from population aging are matters that concern the overall development of the country and the wellbeing of the people. With a focus on both the immediate reality and the long-term horizon, we must work to strengthen top-level design and improve policies and systems related to childbirth, employment, and elderly care. We must respond in a timely, well-conceived, and comprehensive manner to ensure the proper care and support elderly people need to feel content and secure in their life's later years.

Improving the policy system for elderly care services

We have implemented the Guidelines on Advancing the Development of the Basic Elderly Care Service System jointly issued by the general offices of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council. We have also encouraged local governments to roll out implementation plans and publish local lists of basic elderly care services, so as to move faster in establishing a basic elderly care service system.

An action plan for developing meal catering services for seniors has been released, and we have researched and formulated guidelines for accelerating the development of elderly care services in rural areas and for fostering a contingent of skilled elderly care personnel. We have also organized the promotion of centralized care services for functionally impaired seniors facing financial difficulties. In addition, we have provided targeted guidance to local governments to address key difficulties and problems in delivering elderly care services.

Enhancing our capacity to provide basic elderly care

In collaboration with the National Development and Reform Commission, we have implemented a project for proactively responding to population aging, and the central government has allocated budgetary investment to support the construction of elderly care facilities. In conjunction with the Ministry of Finance, we have carried out an initiative aimed at enhancing basic home- and community-based elderly care services. This initiative aims to provide home care beds and home-based services to eligible seniors who have complete or partial functional impairment. Through cooperation with the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, we have worked to ensure that elderly care facilities are built in new housing developments during the construction phase. This has helped improve the layout of community-based elderly care service facilities. Local governments have also been encouraged to carry out elderly-friendly home renovations for vulnerable seniors.

We have refined the welfare and subsidy support policies for elderly people, ensuring the implementation of schemes such as old-age allowances and elderly care subsidies. By the end of September 2023, the total number of various elderly care institutions and facilities had reached 400,000, with a capacity of 8.21 million beds, representing year-on-year increases of 7.2% and 0.5%, respectively. Furthermore, local governments have received guidance on accelerating the implementation of home visitation and care services to facilitate the early detection and prevention of risks related to home-based elderly care.

Strengthening oversight of elderly care services

Building on the implementation of a campaign for improving the quality of nursing home services in recent years, we have launched a comprehensive grading system for elderly care institutions and kicked off a year-long nationwide initiative to boost oversight of elderly care services. In joint efforts with relevant departments, we have implemented the Regulations on Fire Safety Management in Elderly Care Institutions and issued guidance for localities on identifying and rectifying various types of hidden safety hazards. We have studied and formulated standards for major safety risks and hidden hazards in elderly care institutions and relevant measures for managing advance fee payments. A notice has been issued to alert people about risks related to illicit fundraising activities in the elderly care service sector. We have also made continuous efforts to combat fraudulent activity and elder abuse in this sector.

Editor: Jiang Wenyan