Core Viewpoint - The aging population in China is driving significant changes in the elder care industry, with the introduction of the new profession "Elder Care Service Specialist" marking a key step towards professionalizing the elder care system to address the challenges of aging [1][9][24] Group 1: Industry Transformation - The elder care service industry is transitioning from a low-threshold, extensive growth model to a high-quality, standardized, intelligent, and talent-driven transformation [13] - The establishment of the "Elder Care Service Specialist" profession aims to cover critical nodes and multidimensional tasks in the elder care process, reflecting a service "closed-loop" model [9][13] - The demand for professional, personalized, and multi-layered care services is increasing as the needs of the elderly shift from "survival" to "development" [9][24] Group 2: Company Practices - Taikang Home has developed an innovative "1+N" multidisciplinary care model, creating a team that includes case managers, nurses, rehabilitation specialists, pharmacists, social workers, and more to provide comprehensive care for the elderly [9][24] - The company has established training bases across six regions in China to standardize service skills and enhance the quality of the workforce [24] - Taikang Home's memory care team undergoes extensive training, including 8 hours of basic training and 30 hours of specialized training, ensuring high standards in dementia care [22] Group 3: Professional Development - The role of the Elder Care Service Specialist is multifaceted, requiring a solid foundation in nursing skills, the ability to assess elderly capabilities, and the coordination of multidisciplinary teams [7][9] - The company emphasizes the importance of continuous professional development, with a focus on integrating international best practices into local care methods [22] - Taikang Home's commitment to creating career advancement pathways for frontline professionals enhances employee motivation and stability within the workforce [24]

Core Viewpoint - The establishment of the "Elderly Care Service Specialist" as a new profession reflects the growing demand for specialized elderly care services in China, with the elderly population expected to reach 310 million by the end of 2024 [1][24]. Group 1: Overview of the Elderly Care Service Specialist - The role of the Elderly Care Service Specialist goes beyond basic caregiving, acting as a "life architect" to design a fulfilling second half of life for the elderly [3][16]. - Specialists conduct a comprehensive three-party assessment involving daily activity capabilities, cognitive levels, health conditions, and social support [5][8]. - The focus includes caring for specific groups, such as those with cognitive impairments, requiring knowledge of related diseases and communication skills [7][21]. Group 2: Professional Development and Training - The profession requires a diverse skill set, combining health care, social participation, and lifelong learning to meet the needs of the elderly [24][26]. - Educational institutions are increasingly offering programs in elderly services, with a significant portion of the workforce being young and educated [23][26]. - The profession is expected to grow significantly, with projections indicating a potential workforce of millions to meet the demands of an aging population [24][26]. Group 3: Market Demand and Future Prospects - By 2035, the elderly population in China is projected to exceed 400 million, creating vast employment opportunities in the elderly care sector [24]. - Current staffing levels in elderly care are insufficient, with only 1.338 million professionals available, highlighting a significant gap in meeting the growing service demands [24]. - The establishment of the Elderly Care Service Specialist is part of broader social measures to enhance elderly services, indicating a shift towards professionalization in the sector [24][26].

朱干与老人体验园艺疗愈。 本报记者 杨 迅摄 泰康之家·湘园的工作人员带领老人进行音乐互动游戏。 王星懿摄 "每个老年人的身体情况不一样，照护的重点也不一样。认知症老人要特别注意防走失，还需要移除地 面杂物，安装防护垫，用清晰标识区分功能区……"在位于湖南长沙湘江新区的泰康之家·湘园，36岁的 养老服务师朱干像往常一样，带着年轻的一线护理人员查房。 随着人口老龄化的加剧，职业化、专业化的养老服务人才成为护航幸福晚年的重要力量。养老服务师是 人力资源社会保障部最新发布的17个新职业之一，指从事居家、社区、机构养老服务综合需求评估、方 案制订与实施、照护技术实施与培训指导、质量评价管理、服务咨询转介、实务应用研究的专业技术人 员。作为从业者，朱干感叹："职业身份的正式认定，不仅增强了我的职业认同感，更让我们有了持续 努力的方向。" 一人一策 为老人定制个性化照护计划 "李嗲嗲（湖南方言，指"爷爷"），早上好！今天的状态看起来不错，一会儿吃完早餐，可以适当走一 走哦。"迎着晨光，朱干一边查房，一边叮嘱照护人员有关注意事项。 朱干还记得，这位李姓老人刚到养老机构时，不仅需要卧床，整个人还非常惊惶、缺乏安全感、肢体活 ...

Core Insights - The traditional concept of "raising children to prevent aging" in China is facing unprecedented challenges due to smaller family structures and increased population mobility [1] - The aging population in China has surpassed 310 million, with over 10 million new elderly individuals added each year, highlighting a significant shortage of professional elderly care services [1] - The emergence of the profession of elderly care service providers offers innovative solutions to the challenges of elderly care [1] Industry Transformation - The rise of elderly care service providers reflects a transition in China's elderly care system from a rough approach to a more refined and specialized one [2] - The service demands of the elderly are becoming increasingly diverse and personalized, necessitating a shift from standardized to individualized care [2] - Elderly care service providers are positioned to deliver tailored care plans based on professional assessments, achieving "one person, one policy" precision in service [2] Development Challenges - The profession faces significant challenges, including a shortage of qualified professionals who possess multidisciplinary knowledge in healthcare, nursing, and psychology [2] - There is a need for a systematic vocational education framework to cultivate composite professionals in elderly care [2] - The profession suffers from low income, low social status, and low willingness among young people to enter the field, necessitating market-driven salary improvements and enhanced social recognition [2] Policy Support - The healthy development of elderly care service providers requires systematic policy support, including the inclusion of basic assessment services in medical insurance reimbursement [3] - Establishing a national standard and certification system for the profession can enhance service quality control [3] - Encouraging companies to invest in technological innovations can improve service efficiency [3] Social Impact - Elderly care services are not only crucial for individual quality of life in later years but also serve as a measure of societal progress [3] - Collaborative efforts from government policies, corporate innovation, and social value recognition are essential to ensure that professional and humane elderly care services reach every household [3]

Core Insights - The introduction of the new profession of "Elderly Care Service Specialist" reflects the growing demand for specialized services in the aging population, highlighting the need for comprehensive care solutions [2][8][16] Group 1: Definition and Role of Elderly Care Service Specialist - The Elderly Care Service Specialist is defined as a professional responsible for comprehensive needs assessment, service planning, implementation of care techniques, quality evaluation, and practical research in elderly care [3][5] - This role is characterized as a composite professional, requiring expertise across various domains including medical care, home economics, management, and psychological counseling [5][6] Group 2: Demand and Market Trends - As of January 2025, the elderly population in China has reached over 310 million, with an annual increase of over 10 million, indicating a significant rise in demand for elderly care services [8][16] - The needs of the elderly are becoming increasingly diverse and personalized, necessitating tailored care solutions that address physical, psychological, and environmental factors [8][9] Group 3: Future Employment Models - It is anticipated that Elderly Care Service Specialists will primarily work within regional elderly service centers, institutions, or community care stations, rather than independently [10][12] - The role is expected to evolve similarly to Japan's care managers, who provide comprehensive assessments and service allocations for the elderly [10][11] Group 4: Professional Standards and Training - The profession requires high standards of training and certification, with expectations for practitioners to have substantial experience and specialized knowledge in elderly care [14][15] - The establishment of a standardized certification system is crucial for ensuring the quality and professionalism of Elderly Care Service Specialists [16]