Expanding elderly consumption has been written into a newly approved national-level plan. The State Council has endorsed the ‘15th Five-Year’ Plan for Expanding Consumption, which lays out systematic arrangements for the development of elderly products, the construction of elderly care service networks, and the diversification of silver economy services.
On the product side, the plan emphasizes strengthening research, design, and production of age-friendly daily products, functional garments for the elderly, and rehabilitation assistive devices to meet the quality-of-life needs of seniors. It also calls for the development and application of elderly care service robots, multi-functional nursing beds, and health monitoring equipment, while encouraging the research of health foods and foods for special medical purposes tailored to the physiological characteristics of the elderly. To align with product standards, the plan proposes exploring the establishment of a certification system for silver economy products and services, and improving national standards in the fields of elderly products and services.
On the service network side, a three-tier elderly care service network spanning counties, townships, and villages will be expedited. The plan clarifies a supply structure based on home care, supported by community services, and supplemented by institutional care, while emphasizing the need to improve the care system for disabled and cognitively impaired seniors. In terms of facility construction, it allows for the renovation or expansion of elderly care institutions using vacant public properties in accordance with laws and regulations, and supports the participation of social forces in expanding universal elderly care service supply. To bring services closer to seniors, the plan guides elderly care service institutions to enter communities through chain operations and integrate surrounding resources.
Talent and technology are also included as supporting measures. The plan deploys county-level elderly care service improvement projects and urges the acceleration of vocational skill grade recognition for elderly care workers, while establishing a professional qualification system for elderly care specialists. Digital and smart upgrades are explicitly identified as empowerment directions.
Additionally, the supply of diversified silver economy services will be expanded. The plan calls for the orderly development of community colleges, citizen evening schools, and senior training programs, while expanding services such as senior meal assistance, care services, silver tourism, health and wellness travel, elderly education, and elderly finance. Distinctive tourist railway routes and senior-themed trains will also be launched.