The development of smart eldercare in China

Honglin Chen; Aaron Hagedorn; Ning An

doi:10.1016/j.lanwpc.2022.100547

The development of smart eldercare in China

Lancet Reg Health West Pac. 2022 Jul 28:35:100547. doi: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.2022.100547. eCollection 2023 Jun.

Authors

Honglin Chen^{1

2}, Aaron Hagedorn³, Ning An⁴

Affiliations

¹ Gerontological Social Work, Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies, University of Eastern Finland, Finland.
² School of Social Development and Public Policy, Fudan University, China.
³ School of Social Work, University of Texas at Arlington, USA.
⁴ The Gerontechnology Lab, Intelligent Interconnected Systems Laboratory of Anhui Province, School of Computer Science and Information Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, China.

Abstract

Background: Many countries have tried to establish an optimal model for managing population aging that can be replicated and promoted. With the increasing societal task of delivering care to older adults with chronic conditions, China has started to harness the power of digital technologies to help address the growing demands for eldercare. China is exploring a unique "Smart Eldercare" model to respond to the social service needs of older adults.

Methods: Using a Delphi method, this study highlights a hierachy of approaches and findings from a cognitive support tool for those with mild cognitive impairment.

Findings: From the central committee to local governments, the Chinese government has developed policies aimed at supporting the development of the Smart Eldercare service industry.

Interpretation: This viewpoint article sheds light on this development in health care services based on an onsite research investigation, which can potentially impact the Western Pacific region and beyond in years to come.

Funding: The Non-profit Central Research Institute Fund of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Grant No. 2021-JKCS-026.

Keywords: China; Healthy ageing; Smart eldercare.

Publication types

Review