谁来监护空巢老人？人大代表建议加强培育专业监护社会组织

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the increasing urgency of implementing the "Intended Guardianship" system in China to address the challenges posed by an aging population and the rise of solitary living among the elderly, particularly in light of the frequent occurrences of "lonely deaths" among solitary seniors [3][4]. Summary by Sections Intended Guardianship Overview - Intended guardianship allows fully capable adults to designate their guardians in writing, which becomes effective when they lose or partially lose their civil capacity [5]. - The system was first established in the 2012 revision of the "Law on the Protection of the Rights and Interests of the Elderly" and further detailed in the "Civil Code," but it remains underdeveloped with a lack of specific implementation guidelines [6][7]. Legislative Suggestions - Recommendations have been made to revise the "Law on the Protection of the Rights and Interests of the Elderly" to align with the "Civil Code" and establish a comprehensive system for intended guardianship, including information storage and supervision mechanisms [6][7]. - The introduction of a "supervisor" concept in Shanghai's new regulations aims to enhance oversight of guardians' responsibilities [7]. Challenges in Implementation - There is a significant lack of professional social organizations capable of providing intended guardianship services, which is a major barrier to the system's effective implementation [8][10]. - Current social organizations are often inadequately trained, leading to inconsistent service quality and ethical risks [10]. Development of Social Organizations - The number of organizations providing intended guardianship services is limited, with fewer than 20 identified across major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou [10]. - Financial sustainability is a challenge for these organizations, as the long-term care for the elderly can exceed eight years, yet the income from guardianship services is insufficient to support stable operations [10][12]. Recommendations for Growth - Suggestions include establishing clear entry requirements and service standards for intended guardianship organizations, as well as exploring government procurement and public funding to support these entities [12][13]. - A unified platform for guardianship information is recommended to facilitate communication among relevant departments and improve the implementation of the intended guardianship system [14].