China is taking significant steps to transform its elderly care system, ensuring that every senior citizen has access to essential services. At a recent press conference, China's Minister of Civil Affairs, Lu Zhiyuan, outlined the country's ambitious plans to deepen the reform and development of elderly care.
Drawing parallels to the education and healthcare sectors, Lu emphasized the need for dedicated institutions focusing on elderly care. \"Just as there are schools for education and hospitals for medical care, there should be corresponding institutions for elderly care services,\" he stated.
To achieve this, China will fast-track the establishment of a three-tier elderly care service network encompassing urban and rural areas. This network aims to provide comprehensive support through home care, community care, and professional institutional care. By integrating medical services with elderly care, the system seeks to offer a holistic approach to senior wellbeing.
Lu also highlighted five key supportive elements vital to the success of these reforms: strategic elderly care planning, robust financial support, skilled talent development, sustainable elderly care financing, and the integration of advanced technology. Particularly, the application of information technology will play a crucial role in enhancing service delivery and efficiency.
These reforms are set to not only improve the quality of life for China's aging population but also to serve as a model for other nations grappling with similar demographic challenges.
Reference(s):
China's reform of elderly care is to ensure all have access: official
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