Senior citizen demographic grows, further investment in care crucial

China should take further steps to improve the quality and accessibility of care for its senior citizens as the country faces a significant demographic shift with its fast-increasing elderly population, said Yin Shun, a member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

The government should take measures to accelerate the continuous investment in community-based elderly care facilities so as to improve the systematic, targeted and inclusive supply of aged care services across the country, said Yin, who is also vice-president of the Buddhist Association of China.

Meanwhile, the country needs to roll out specific policies to encourage private sectors participating in the construction of healthcare and wellness facilities, Yin said, adding that incentives, such as tax exemptions and subsidies, should be put in place to better attract private investment.

Moreover, big data, intelligent elderly care devices and artificial intelligence technology should be fully leveraged to provide precise and efficient services to the elderly people, particularly those in more critical conditions, Yin added.

While China's elderly care industry has made significant progress in recent years, there are still fields that require attention and improvement, Yin said.

The lack of a comprehensive vocational education system that provides specialized skills and meets the care giving needs of the elderly remains high on the list, Yin said, adding that, while society has made progress in providing material support to senior citizens, there is still room for improvement in addressing their psychological well-being.

Religious organizations, harnessing their strong psychological influence and abundant resources, can play a crucial role in addressing the shortage of healthcare and elderly care workers, Yin said.

By channeling the power of religion into elderly care services, these organizations are able to tap into a pool of dedicated volunteers and offer support to meet the growing demand for quality care, Yin added.

China's elderly care industry is expected to hit 13 trillion yuan ($1.81 trillion) by 2030, according to a report compiled by Shanghai-based Fudan University in December.

wangkeju@chinadaily.com.cn