“城心养老”破题老龄化困局：中国式养老体系如何筑牢安全网？

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the urgent need for a comprehensive solution to the challenges posed by China's aging population and declining birth rates, emphasizing the importance of a new ecological framework for elder care that is policy-driven, service-oriented, and multi-faceted [1][4]. Population Structure Changes - China's population structure is undergoing a historic shift, transitioning from positive to negative growth in 2022, marking a significant demographic change [2]. - The "second elderly wave" is expected to see 330 million people aged 60 and above enter this demographic between 2022 and 2036, which is 2.32 times larger than the first elderly wave [2]. - By 2065, the proportion of individuals aged 80 and above is projected to exceed that of those aged 60-69 for the first time, indicating a deepening aging trend [2]. Dual Pressure on Younger Generations - The younger generations (those born in the 70s, 80s, and 90s) face a dual pressure of preparing for their own retirement while also caring for aging parents, leading to increased anxiety about elder care [3]. - Societal challenges include ensuring the sustainability of social security systems and addressing the inadequacies in socialized elder care services [3]. Chinese Elder Care Pathways - The Chinese government is working to establish a unique elder care service system characterized by home-based care, community support, and professional institutional backing [4]. - A three-tiered service network is proposed, focusing on county-level resource coordination, professional care at town levels, and basic services at village levels to ensure comprehensive coverage [4]. - The "15-minute elder care service circle" aims to provide accessible services within urban communities, enhancing convenience for the elderly [4]. Technological Integration and Resource Optimization - The integration of smart technology is crucial for improving service precision and efficiency, including real-time health monitoring systems for the elderly [4]. - A cloud platform is suggested to optimize the matching of elder care resources, ensuring timely service responses and efficient resource allocation [4]. Multi-Stakeholder Engagement - Encouraging diverse participation from social capital through tax incentives and operational subsidies is essential for expanding the scale of professional elder care services [5]. - The establishment of a national elderly capability assessment system and legislative improvements in service standards are necessary to stabilize retirement expectations for younger generations [5]. - The "urban core elder care" model is identified as a key pathway to alleviate elder care anxiety, promoting urban-rural integration for high-quality elder care services [5].