Core Insights - Shandong province has the highest elderly population in China, with 24.62% of its population aged 60 and above, totaling 24.82 million by the end of 2024 [2] - The province is actively working to create an elderly-friendly society and improve services for the aging population, leading the nation in addressing population aging [2] Summary by Categories Elderly Population Statistics - By the end of 2024, Shandong will have 24.82 million people aged 60 and above, representing 24.62% of the total population [2] Pension and Social Security - Shandong is enhancing its social security system, implementing nationwide enterprise pension insurance, and expanding basic pension insurance coverage [2] - The province has included 59.1 million elderly individuals in minimum living security and 29.2 million in special hardship assistance [2] Elderly Care Services - Shandong has established a multi-tiered elderly care service system, with 1,631 recognized inclusive elderly care institutions, accounting for 60% of the total [3] - By September 2025, the total number of elderly care institutions is expected to reach 2,731, with nursing beds making up 76.4% [3] - The province has developed 24,000 community elderly care facilities and 86,000 family elderly care beds [3] Health Support for the Elderly - A comprehensive elderly health service system is being built, with 96.5% of public hospitals above the secondary level having geriatric departments [4] - There are 1,125 integrated medical and elderly care institutions in the province, with over 330,000 beds [4] - The province has implemented home modifications for 15.8 million elderly individuals to support those with disabilities or dementia [4] Promotion of Elderly-Friendly Environment - Shandong has created 160 national model elderly-friendly communities and registered over 3.6 million elderly volunteers [4] - The province conducts annual "Respect for the Elderly Month" activities to promote awareness and engagement [4] Support for Silver Economy - The province is prioritizing the medical and health industry as part of its "Ten Strong Industries," with 98 projects totaling 68.5 billion yuan included in the 2025 development plan [5] - Shandong is one of the first provinces to issue subsidies for elderly care services, distributing 277,000 service vouchers and 135 million yuan in subsidies, benefiting 224,400 individuals [5]

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of effectively addressing China's aging population, which is crucial for national development and the well-being of millions of citizens. It highlights the need for a multi-tiered elderly care service system that aligns with national conditions, addressing both the practical needs of the elderly and the modernization of national governance [1][7]. Group 1: Home and Community Care - There is a pressing need to improve the home and community care service system, as 90% of elderly individuals prefer this mode of care. The current challenges include fragmented services and mismatched supply and demand [2][3]. - The article suggests establishing standardized construction criteria for elderly care facilities, particularly in densely populated areas, integrating preventive health services into the care model [2][3]. Group 2: Institutional Care Development - Institutional care should develop in a layered and categorized manner, balancing basic security and diverse supply. Public institutions must focus on basic care for vulnerable groups, while private sectors can enhance service quality through market mechanisms [3][4]. - The article discusses the need for a unified national rating system for elderly care institutions, linking ratings to financial subsidies and healthcare qualifications [3][4]. Group 3: Rural Elderly Care - The article highlights the urgent need to address the "urban-rural imbalance" in elderly care, as rural areas have a higher proportion of elderly individuals. Innovative models like the "happiness house" combined with healthcare services are being explored in rural settings [4][5]. - It suggests implementing a volunteer service points system in rural areas to encourage community participation in elderly care [4][5]. Group 4: Policy and Talent Support - Strengthening policy support and talent development is essential for sustainable growth in elderly care services. The establishment of a long-term care insurance system is recommended, along with a multi-source funding mechanism [6][7]. - The article advocates for the development of a talent training system for elderly care, inspired by Germany's dual education model, to enhance the quality of care [6][7]. Group 5: Integration of Silver Economy - The integration of the silver economy is seen as a new driving force for the development of the elderly care industry. The article emphasizes the need to create an "elderly care service +" ecosystem, focusing on technology, financial innovation, and industry collaboration [6][7]. - It predicts that the market for aging-related smart devices will exceed 80 billion yuan by 2025, highlighting the potential for growth in this sector [6][7].