People's Daily Comment: Making elderly care at home happier

By the end of last year, the population of elderly people aged 60 and above in China reached 310 million, and it is predicted that by around 2035, it will surpass 400 million. The huge elderly population means a massive demand for elderly care services. However, the reality is not optimistic. Currently, the total number of elderly care facilities is insufficient, and the layout is unreasonable, making it difficult to meet the actual needs of the elderly. Not long ago, the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the Ministry of Natural Resources jointly issued a notice on strengthening the planning and layout of elderly care facilities, proposing to accelerate the establishment of a three-tier elderly care service network covering urban and rural areas at the county, township, and village levels. It is required to further scientifically plan the layout of elderly care facilities, continuously optimize the allocation of elderly care facilities, and promote the coordination of elderly care supply and demand. This policy deployment actively responds to the aging trend and reflects the precise pulse on the demand for elderly care at home. Only by truly understanding the needs, clarifying the resources, and providing services at home can we help millions of elderly people better achieve a fulfilled old age, turning the vision of happy home care for the elderly into an everyday reality.