CCTV News: On January 7, the "Opinions of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council on Deepening the Reform and Development of Elderly Care Services" (hereinafter referred to as the "Opinions") was released. This is the first time that China has issued opinions on elderly care services in the name of the Party Central Committee and the State Council. The "Opinions" put forward goals and paths from the aspects of elderly care service networks, service forms, etc., to better ensure that nearly 300 million elderly people have a care and enjoy a happy old age.

The "goal" is clear: basically build an elderly care service network by 2029

The "goal" of the "opinion" is clear. By 2029, the elderly care service network will be basically completed, the service capacity and level will be significantly enhanced, significant progress will be made in expanding capacity, improving quality and efficiency, and the supply of basic elderly care services will be continuously optimized. By 2035, the elderly care service network will be more sound, the service supply and demand will be more coordinated and adapted, and all the elderly will enjoy basic elderly care services. The elderly care service system that is suitable for China's national conditions will be mature and fixed.

More than ten measures demonstrate forward-looking, systematic and overall

The "path" of the "Opinions" is clear: from improving village (community) elderly care service facilities and sites, to consolidating the role of home-based elderly care basics, from accelerating the filling of shortcomings in rural elderly care services, to strengthening the construction of the talent team for elderly care services, the "Opinions" propose more than ten "real" measures to demonstrate forward-looking, systematic and overall.

Li Banghua, deputy director of the Elderly Care Service Department of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, said that the "Opinions" is the first guiding opinions on elderly care services issued in the name of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council. It has made forward-looking, systematic and overall arrangements for the development of elderly care services. It is a top-level design that promotes the high-quality development of elderly care services in the new era and promotes the maturity and standardization of my country's national conditions. It is a programmatic document for the construction of elderly care services at present and in the future.

Accelerate and improve the third-level elderly care service network covering urban and rural areas

The "Opinions" propose for the first time to accelerate the improvement of the third-level elderly care service network covering urban and rural areas, county-level comprehensive elderly care service management platforms play the role of demonstration and guidance, township (street) regional elderly care service centers play the role of hubs, village (community) elderly care service facilities stations play the advantage of being close to the elderly, and the entire county (district) elderly care facilities are connected to form a network, making services more convenient and accessible.

Strengthen basic elderly care services focusing on care for disabled elderly people

The "Opinions" proposes that it is necessary to accelerate the improvement of the elderly care service network, optimize the supply pattern of elderly care services based on home, community-based, institutions-based, and professional support, and combine medical care and nursing, strengthen basic elderly care services with focus on care for disabled elderly people, improve the hierarchical and classified, universal access, urban and rural areas, and sustainable development of elderly care services, strengthen the promotion of elderly care services, promote the expansion and improvement of elderly care services, further stimulate the development vitality of the elderly care industry and the elderly care industry, and better meet the multi-level and diversified elderly care service needs of the elderly.

Encourage social forces to build or expand elderly care service facilities

In addition to encouraging social forces to enter the elderly care industry, the "Opinions" issued this time also propose to promote state-owned capital to participate in the development of elderly care services, encourage foreign investors to invest in the domestic elderly care service industry and enjoy national treatment.

Industry insiders pointed out that with the implementation of this "Opinion", more "happiness umbrellas" will be supported for the elderly to enjoy their old age.