人民财评：以品牌化、标准化推动养老服务跃升

Core Viewpoint - The Ministry of Civil Affairs and seven other departments have jointly issued measures to promote the branding of elderly care services, aiming to elevate the sector from fragmentation and low standards to branding and standardization, thereby enhancing the silver economy [1][2]. Group 1: Market Potential and Demographics - The silver economy in China has significant growth potential, with the elderly population aged 60 and above expected to reach 310 million by the end of 2024 and over 400 million by 2035, leading to a market scale projected to exceed 30 trillion yuan [1]. - The branding of elderly care services is essential for the development of the silver economy, ensuring that the elderly can enjoy better care and services [1]. Group 2: Branding and Standardization - The current elderly care market suffers from fragmentation, with a lack of standardized services and low consumer trust, which the new measures aim to address by supporting chain-operated care services and encouraging trademark registration [1]. - The measures propose the establishment of distinctive signage for care service providers and the inclusion of brands in the "China Consumer Famous Products" list, transforming service providers from "general stores" to "flagship stores" [1]. Group 3: Technological Integration - The future of elderly care will require technological empowerment, with a projected increase in the care-dependent population to over 40 million in the next five years, creating a demand for over 5 million additional caregivers [2]. - The measures advocate for the integration of big data, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and Beidou technology in health monitoring, safety alerts, and personalized services for the elderly, enhancing service quality [2]. Group 4: Sustainable Development and Market Dynamics - The branding initiative is expected to foster a fair competitive environment, driving market development and creating a sustainable cycle of improved services, increased consumption, and a more vibrant industry [2]. - The policy aims to transition elderly care services from quantity expansion to quality improvement, laying the groundwork for high-quality, large-scale, and professional development in the silver economy [2].