Core Insights - The aging population in China has made elderly care services a focal point for government, market, and society, impacting the quality of life for seniors and overall social stability and development [1] - The current elderly care service system requires a thorough analysis to identify existing issues and develop effective strategies for improvement [1] Group 1: Theoretical Foundations of Elderly Care Services - Cost accounting and input-output analysis are critical for elderly care services, as all stakeholders must consider resource allocation [2] - Achieving a low-cost, high-return elderly care model is ideal but often challenging, while high-cost, low-return projects are unsustainable [2] - Efficiency in elderly care can be enhanced through organizational innovation and resource concentration, similar to trends in other industries [2][3] Group 2: Service Classification and Analysis - Elderly care services can be categorized into centralized and decentralized services, with centralized services offering cost control and efficiency, while decentralized services provide convenience but face higher costs and quality variability [4] - Continuous services, such as those provided by institutions, are essential for individuals with limited self-care abilities, while intermittent services are less stable and harder to regulate [4][5] - The choice of service model should consider the health and financial status of the elderly [5] Group 3: Positioning of Elderly Care Services - There is a distinction between the welfare-oriented elderly care services provided by the government and the market-driven services offered by enterprises, which complicates the development of a cohesive elderly care system [7] - Current misalignment in responsibility for elderly care services has led to issues such as unfair competition between public and private institutions [7] - The government should ensure basic services for vulnerable elderly populations, while market services should cater to diverse needs [9] Group 4: Multi-faceted Elderly Care System - A multi-stakeholder approach is essential for a sustainable elderly care system, with self-care as the foundation, family support as the core, market services as a supplement, and government services as a safety net [9] - The actual need for elderly care services is lower than previously estimated, with a significant portion of the elderly population being self-sufficient [12][13] - The current elderly care model in China differs significantly from those in Western countries, reflecting unique national circumstances [11] Group 5: Challenges and Future Directions - The concept of "aging in place" may not be suitable for all elderly individuals, particularly those with disabilities who require high-quality care [15] - Social welfare alone cannot address the challenges posed by an aging population; a comprehensive approach including increased birth rates and retirement age adjustments is necessary [16] - The elderly care service system in China is at a critical juncture, necessitating precise responsibility allocation and proactive problem-solving to ensure a sustainable future [16]