Keywords
Population ageing
Industrialization
Digital technology
Collaborative governance
Submitted : 2026-02-08
Accepted : 2026-02-23
Published : 2026-03-10
Abstract
The transformation of China’s elderly care system is a critical response to the country’s rapidly ageing population. The system has evolved from a traditional model based on family care and welfare support to a more industrialized and integrated framework. This shift is necessary to address the growing demand for diverse, high-quality care services, especially in rural areas. Despite progress, the system faces significant challenges, including fragmented service standards, a shortage of skilled professionals, limited social capital investment, and mismatches between supply and demand. This review discusses the strategic pathways required to overcome these obstacles, focusing on four key areas: (1) the development of a unified care-industry standards framework to improve service quality and efficiency; (2) the establishment of comprehensive talent development programs to address workforce shortages; (3) the integration of digital technologies to enhance service delivery and accessibility; and (4) the promotion of a collaborative governance model that includes the government, market, and society. These measures aim to align service supply with the evolving needs of the elderly, while fostering the growth of the silver economy. Looking ahead, the Chinese government’s policy objectives include the establishment of a nationwide elderly care service network by 2029 and the creation of a fully developed, high-quality system by 2035. This comprehensive approach seeks to ensure the sustainable growth of elderly care services, enhance the quality of life for elderly citizens, and contribute to addressing the challenges posed by global demographic change.
References
Editorial Board of China Civil Affairs, 2025, Accelerating the Reform and Development of Elderly Care Services to Address the Major Livelihood Issue of Providing for the Aged. China Civil Affairs, (2): 10.
Wu ZC, 2024, General Office of the State Council Issued “Guidelines on Developing the Silver Economy to Enhance the Well-Being of Older Adults.” Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine Management, 32(2): 137.
Lin B, Zhang Y, 2010, Challenges and Strategies of Population Aging in China, Social Work, (18): 4.
Jin L, 2024, Problems and Countermeasures in the New Era Community Home-Based Elderly Care Service System. Aging Research, 11(6): 2440–2444.
Lu WX, Wu FW, 2024, Elderly Care Services and Rural Family Support for the Aged. Journal of Financial Research, (3): 55–62.
Song XB, 2022, Constructing China’s Old-Age Service System from the Perspective of Active Aging. Leadership Science Forum, (10): 93–96 + 112.
Wang SY, 2024, A Supply and Demand Study of Community-Based Elderly Care Services in China under the Aging Population Context. Aging Research, 11(5): 2172–2176.
Zhang G, 2024, The Coupling Logic and Path Construction between the Elderly Service System and the Silver Economy. Zhongzhou Academic Journal, (10): 80–88.
Başaran AG, Köse BG, Çol BK, 2024, Elderly Discrimination, Willingness to Provide Care to the Elderly and View on Aging of Students in Some Departments in the Field of Health. Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare, 17: 5035–5045.
Chang Z, 2025, Accelerating the Construction of the Elderly Care Service System. Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Journal, (3): 51.
Chen X, Ibrahim R, Lee YF, et al, 2025, Home-Based Community Elderly Care Quality Indicators in China, A Systematic Literature Review. Healthcare, 13(14): 1637.
Huang J, Meng F, 2014, The Necessity, Dilemmas, and Countermeasures of the “Integrated Medical and Elderly Care” Model. Chinese Journal of Health Policy, 7(6): 63–68.
Ji W, Luo R, Sun Y, et al, 2025, A Networked Intelligent Elderly Care Model Based on Nursing Robots to Achieve Healthy Aging. Research, 8: 0592.
Li C, 2025, Collaborative Governance of Smart Community Home-Based Elderly Care Services: Internal Mechanism, Practical Obstacles, and Pathways. Jianghuai Tribune, (3): 127–134.
Li Y, 2025, The Separation of Filial Piety and Elderly Care: The Reconstruction of Farmers’ Filial Piety Concepts and the Optimization of Elderly Care Models in the Transition Period. China Rural Survey, (5): 89–96.
Liu J, Lu Z, Fu Y, et al, 2025, A Visual Analysis of Research Status and Development Frontiers in the Field of Smart Elderly Care Domestically and Internationally. Science and Technology Management Research, (12): 112–120.
Liu J, Ren X, 2025, Research on the Optimization Path of Guangzhou’s Smart Health and Elderly Care Industry from the Perspective of Innovation Ecosystem. Enterprise Reform and Management, (7): 78–85.
Liu J, Zheng S, 2025, Research on the Synergistic Development of Rural Elderly Care and Grassroots Governance from the Perspective of Rural Revitalization. Agricultural Economy and Management, (4): 65–72.
Mu G, 2000, The Transformation and Prospect of Traditional Chinese Elderly Care Patterns. Journal of Renmin University of China, (5): 39–44.
Song X, 2022, Research on the Construction of China’s Elderly Service System from the Perspective of Active Aging. Leadership Science Forum, (10): 93–96 + 112.
Song Y, 2025, Analysis of Collaborative Governance Path for Smart Elderly Care Based on Symbiosis Theory: A Case Study of Shanghai Xiangyang Court, Proceedings of the First AI + Social Governance Youth Academic Forum.
Song Y, Han S, Wang J, et al, 2025, Design and Implementation of an Intelligent Bracelet Based on STM32: A One-Click Call and Real-Time Health Monitoring System for Smart Elderly Care. Journal of Sensor Technology and Application, 13(4): 45–52.
Tang L, Wang Y, 2025, Optimization of the Embedded Elderly Care Service System in Rural Communities under the Digital Intelligence Environment. Agricultural Economics, (4): 90–97.
Wang C, 2025, Research on the Optimization Path of Rural Elderly Care Service System from the Perspective of Active Aging, Master’s thesis, Qufu Normal University.
Williams CT, Chandrasekaran S, 2023, Program All Inclusive Care of the Elderly (PACE), StatPearls, StatPearls Publishing.
Yao L, 2025, Element Identification, System Architecture, and Scenario-Based Application of Data Resources in Smart Elderly Care. Information and Documentation Services, 46(1): 5–15.
Zhang C, Ning X, 2025, The Generative Logic and Practical Path of Smart Elderly Care in Grassroots Communities: A Case Exploration Based on the TOE Framework. Journal of Public Management, (3): 56–63.
Zhou Y, Chen M, 2007, A Study on the Current Situation of Elderly Care Institutions in China. Population Journal, (4): 19–24.
An Y, Wang T, 2024, Let the Emergency “Life Channel” Be Smoother and More Efficient, Xinhua Daily, (015): 1.
Li WB, 2023, A Study on the Implementation of Community Elderly Care Consultant Policy in Shanghai, Master’s thesis, East China University of Political Science and Law.
Sun D, 2023, Development and Enlightenment of Japan’s Elderly Care Service Talent Team Construction. Journal of Western Studies, (04): 68–71.
Gu XY, Tong Q, 2025, Enlightenment of German Community Elderly Care Model on China’s Elderly Care System Construction. International Public Relations, (13): 24–26.
Li YG, Dong KY, Zhuang N, 2024, Main Practices and Enlightenment of Elderly Care Service Provision in Some European Countries. Soft Science of Health, 38(05): 89–93.