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Long Term Care in China – Global Perspectives

Long Term Care in China – Global Perspectives March 21, 2016

Marketing, research and business development consultant in healthcare, human services and senior living.

Population Pyramid China 2025

The challenges and opportunities of long term care in China, with its burgeoning elderly population was the focus of the International Long Term Care Directors’ Conference recently held in Atlanta at Georgia State University’s Gerontology Institute. With distinguished speakers from the United States, Germany, Canada and South Africa, the conference featured lively interchanges, sharing of ideas and information exchange.

The principal focus, of course, was on the burden of care in China for the large and growing population of elderly, and the lack of available infrastructure, both built and human, to respond to these challenges. These looming challenges are seen in the population pyramids for each country, projected in 2025, less than 10 years in the future.

Population Pyramid USA 2025
Population Pyramid USA 2025
Population Pyramid China 2025
Population Pyramid China 2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

The dependency ratio in China is much more severe than in the US.

My presentation focused on the lessons to be learned in China from the US and the UK long term care systems’ approaches to care for persons of age who become dependent or find themselves in need of care.

Other presentations focused on insurance models in Germany, extensive review of demographics in China, as well as the distinctive cultural characteristics of the aged population in China. For example, when Georgia’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman, Melanie McNeil, presented the state-based advocacy model to the primarily Chinese audience, the question was raised whether elderly Chinese consumers would trust a state sponsored advocate. This led to in-depth consideration of alternatives.

There is a tremendous amount of work which remains to be done in order to serve the burgeoning aged population in China. Only extensive collaboration and cooperation will prevent or mitigate widespread unhappiness and suffering among the aged population, as well as economic distress.

Marketing, research and business development consultant in healthcare, human services and senior living.

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