Government attention needed for better nursing homes for the aged

The news that Qian Liqun, a respected philosopher and educationist at Peking University, and his wife are going to spend their remaining years in a nursing home has sparked heated online discussion about where the retired should spend the rest of their life. Comments:

For many, living in a nursing home after retirement means being "abandoned" by indifferent and unfilial children, and leading a lonely, insecure and dreary life. While emotionally resisting a nursing home, these people seem to neglect the fact that currently the social services for the aged are unable to meet the demand. This issue needs not only the government to come up with a complete set of security measures in terms of social welfare and services, but also individuals to be prepared for their old age.

Chengdu Business Daily, July 14

Apart from reducing a certain degree of their life burden, children are willing to spend a lot on a nursing home for their elderly parents because of the medical care a nursing home can provide. Therefore, spending one's old age in a nursing home, although not ideal, can be a realistic choice. But at present the well-equipped private nursing homes are too expensive, while the less expensive public ones have poor facilities and lack qualified staff. It requires not only a bigger market to push forward the sector and reduce costs, but also efforts from the government to raise the overall level of nursing homes for the aged.

Beijing News, July 14

The government should give priority to providing care for the frail and disabled elderly by including them in a social security program that offers them a place in a public nursing home for the elderly. In the meantime, those elderly in better health and financial conditions are encouraged to turn to home-based care or private nursing homes. In addition, grassroots organizations entrusted by local governments to help improve home care for the elderly can outsource the nursing job to more professional social organizations and focus more on supervision of the service.

The Paper, July 11