The State Council has unveiled the “Opinions on Developing the Grey-hair Economy to Boost Wellbeing of the Elderly,” outlining 26 initiatives aimed at enhancing the quality of life for the aging population through improved livelihood, product supply, industrial growth, and security measures.
Key recommendations include the optimization of elderly health services by enhancing geriatric medicine departments in hospitals and promoting the integration of medical and elderly care services. The plan calls for the establishment of rehabilitation hospitals and innovative service models, such as daytime rehabilitation and home hospital beds, while also advocating for the expanded use of traditional Chinese medicine in health and wellness.
Additionally, the document emphasizes the improvement of elderly care services, urging local governments to implement differentiated subsidies for care facilities and to enhance support for disabled and cognitively impaired seniors. The establishment of a referral system connecting home-based, community-based, and institutional care is also recommended.
The plan promotes the development of the rehabilitation assistive device industry, focusing on upgrading products like hearing aids and intelligent wheelchairs, while encouraging home-based and smart elderly care through the use of technology. Furthermore, it advocates for the creation of specialized pension financial products, including commercial pension and long-term care insurance.
To support these initiatives, the government plans to establish approximately 10 high-level silver economy industrial parks across key regions, alongside strategic research projects targeting rehabilitation devices and smart health solutions.- Flcube.com
