“五星级”养老院，老人们住不惯

Core Insights - The article discusses the challenges faced by a mid-range elderly care institution in China that adopted a Japanese "group care" model, highlighting issues such as inadequate facilities and mismatched needs of the elderly [1][2]. Group 1: Facility Design and User Experience - The care institution's layout, designed to foster a communal living environment, has led to practical issues such as long queues for shared bathrooms and conflicts among residents over hygiene practices [1][2]. - Many elderly residents expressed dissatisfaction with the noise levels and lack of privacy in shared spaces, indicating a disconnect between the design intentions and actual user experiences [1][4]. - A high-end elderly apartment initially designed for self-sufficient and mildly disabled seniors struggled with low occupancy due to a mismatch between luxurious facilities and the actual needs of the elderly population [3][4]. Group 2: Service Quality and Operational Challenges - Despite having medical facilities, many elderly care institutions face operational difficulties, such as challenges in obtaining prescription rights and integrating with health insurance, leading to underutilized medical resources [5]. - A community-based elderly care facility, despite not meeting certain regulatory standards, has maintained high occupancy due to its focus on quality care and personalized services, demonstrating that service quality can outweigh physical facility shortcomings [7][8]. Group 3: Design Flaws and User Needs - The article highlights the importance of considering user needs in facility design, noting that many elderly residents prefer private bathing options over communal facilities, which often lack necessary amenities [4][10]. - The lack of adequate storage space for personal belongings in care facilities has been a common complaint among residents, indicating a need for better attention to detail in design [9][10]. - The preference for single rooms among elderly residents is significant, with over 67% expressing a willingness to pay more for privacy, suggesting that current shared living arrangements may negatively impact quality of life [10]. Group 4: Regulatory and Evaluation Standards - The introduction of a national standard for evaluating elderly care institutions has led to some facilities making changes to meet these standards, but often at the expense of actual resident needs [2][6]. - The article argues for a more flexible evaluation system that considers the diverse conditions and challenges faced by different elderly care institutions, rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach [10][12]. Group 5: Future Directions and Recommendations - The ideal size for elderly care institutions is suggested to be between 200 to 300 beds, with smaller care units for specific needs, to enhance care quality and reduce operational burdens [12]. - Emphasizing the importance of creating a home-like atmosphere, the article advocates for service models that prioritize personal connections between staff and residents, similar to the "Green House" model in the U.S. [11].