Assisted living is not the norm for the elderly in China. Many grandmothers and grandfathers are active parts of their households and live with their children and grandchildren. Family is very important to the Chinese. Over the last decade or so, assisted living has seen a boom in popularity partly because of the quality of care that seniors receive in these facilities instead of staying at home, partly because of the increase in employment in China and also partly because of changes in society and socialization.
It can’t be easy for a country with an estimated 159 million folks over the age of 60 to figure out what to do with them all. In the United States, for example, even though facilities were then nothing like they are now, there has been an assisted living infrastructure for decades. This is all new for China.
Because so many women are entering the workforce now when they, just a decade ago, normally stayed home to care for the household, aging parents and grandparents are being left without the care they need. This is a very difficult situation for those with illnesses or disabilities. China is rising to the challenge of helping its older citizens by building and staffing assisted living facilities. These are usually government funded and provide housing, food, and medical care.
Though there are some advances being made, assisted living in China is still in its infancy. Many of the facilities are understaffed and some do not receive the necessary funding. However, the fact that they even exist shows that China is working hard to match the pace of other industrialized nations in providing health and wellness to their seniors.
There is still a social stigma attached to families that are considering moving their elderly relatives into these facilities. To the Chinese, it signifies the failure of their ability to care for their loved ones. Many feel that they have not lived up to their responsibilities and, usually, only move their loved ones into the facilities as a last resort. There is currently not much help for seniors in the way of in home health care. Those with medical issues are more quickly moved to facilities where they can receive the care they need.
There do exist some major issues, namely China’s lack of comprehensive national welfare to take care of its seniors. A lot of older folks who live in rural areas are often not covered by any policies or programs. That is changing, however. China is beginning to look to the West for help and answers. Contractors and investors from all over the world are stepping in to help.
Source: Assisted Living Facilities [http://www.assistedlivingfacilities.org/blog/assisted-living-locations/assisted-living-world-china/]
