Status quo, problems and prospects of healthcare plus elderly care mode in China

Abstract

In order to fully understand the status quo of the healthcare plus elderly care mode development in China, this paper comprehensively analyzed the progress of China in this respect, from four aspects as follows. These include the policy making, service mode development, number of elderly care beds and long-term care insurance. In view of the current shortage of resources in China, namely that of talents, poor teambuilding, imbalance between supply and demand of medical institutions, and the lack of coordination among healthcare and elderly care institutions, this paper suggests that China should focus on strengthening the construction of diversified elderly care system and professional elderly care personnel. In addition, it suggests to establish and improve the long-term care system with Chinese characteristics and promote the introduction of hospice care services for elderly care institutions, hence encouraging a high level healthcare plus elderly care career in China. Key words: Healthcare plus elderly care; Number of elderly care beds; Care givers; Long-term care; Hospice care