Chongqing - In 2023, Chongqing has a population of 7.12 million people aged 60 and above, constituting 22.16% of the total population, making it one of the provinces with a higher degree of aging in the country. During this year's National People's Congress and National Committee of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), several members of the CPPCC National Committee put forward suggestions to advance the development of elderly care and the associated industry in Chongqing.
Ensuring the well-being and quality of life for the elderly population, commonly referred to as the "silver-haired generation," is crucial for the continuous growth of the elderly care industry. Having conducted on-site investigations, some of the CPPCC National Committee members propose fostering new growth points in the elderly care industry to meet the demands of modern elderly services by providing a broader range of products.
Li Yong, a member of the CPPCC National Committee, a member of the Leading Party Members' Group, and the director of the Chongqing Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau. （Photo/Chongqing Municipal Committee of the CPPCC)
Li Yong, a member of the CPPCC National Committee, a member of the leading Party members group, and the director of the Chongqing Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau, highlighted the necessity to optimize and integrate resources in social insurance, social assistance, social welfare, charitable activities, and elderly preferential treatment.
Li suggested further refining the multilevel elderly care security system to provide robust support for the coordinated development of elderly care services and industries. This involved expanding the coverage of elderly insurance through initiatives like the nationwide insurance plan and the "expanding coverage and improving quality" special action in social insurance.
He advocated for the development of enterprise pensions and occupational pensions, promoting and standardizing the development of the third pillar of elderly insurance. He also suggested initiating a pioneering effort in Chongqing to comprehensively implement the individual pension system, exploring mechanisms linking individual pension funds with the elderly care service industry.
To ensure the synchronized growth of elderly care services and industries, Li proposed reinforcing employment and talent development efforts. He suggested supporting and guiding regular universities and vocational colleges to introduce majors related to the silver economy, aligning with their strengths and societal needs. Li said, "Leveraging the Chongqing Aging Care High-Skill Talent Training Base and Elderly Care Center, we'll explore the construction of a professional talent standard system for elderly care services and foster more highly skilled talent in the field."
Li suggested further strengthening human resource and social security services to establish a foundation for the coordinated development of elderly care services and industries. This involved reinforcing service provision by implementing data-sharing mechanisms and seamless authentication methods, simplifying verifying eligibility for retired individuals receiving elderly care benefits.
Gao Lin, a member of the CPPCC National Committee, Vice Chairman of the Chongqing Municipal Committee of the China Democratic League, and deputy district mayor of Yuzhong District in Chongqing. (Photo/Chongqing Municipal Committee of the CPPCC)
Gao Lin, a member of the CPPCC National Committee, Vice Chairman of the Chongqing Municipal Committee of the China Democratic League, and deputy district mayor of Yuzhong District in Chongqing, suggested exploring a new model of integrated development for the "silver economy.
Gao suggested supporting the construction, renovation, and operation of entities within the elderly market, utilizing a combination of leasing and sales to provide high-quality resource carriers. This approach involves enhancing community canteens, elderly education, activities, and health services, creating favorable conditions for home-based elderly care and community enjoyment.
She highlighted developing services such as health information archives, medical check-ups, health interventions, chronic disease management, and health consultation. Gao said, "We'll improve information-related services for the elderly by developing websites, mobile apps, and platforms closely related to the daily lives of the elderly."
Gao suggested the establishment of a comprehensive industry chain for elderly enjoyment services, the formation of specialized elderly care service teams, and the provision of personalized health and elderly care services. The proposal underscored the importance of continuous talent development.
To cater to the financial needs of the new generation of elderly individuals, Gao suggested the development of the third pillar of elderly insurance. This included exploring improvements in pension financial services and introducing financial products such as elderly financial planning, pension funds, elderly trusts, and savings accounts tailored to the characteristics of the elderly population.
Deng Lin, a member of the CPPCC National Committee, Vice Chairman of the Chongqing Committee of the China Zhi Gong Party, and Deputy Director of the Chongqing Municipal Civil Affairs Bureau. (Photo/Chongqing Municipal Committee of the CPPCC)
Deng Lin, a member of the CPPCC National Committee, Vice Chairman of the Chongqing Committee of the China Zhi Gong Party, and Deputy Director of the Chongqing Municipal Civil Affairs Bureau proposed the establishment of a comprehensive mechanism for the government to purchase elderly care services.
She highlighted Chongqing's achievement in becoming the first in the western region to achieve full coverage of community-based elderly care services, with a bed capacity per thousand elderly individuals and the proportion of nursing beds surpassing the national average. Moreover, Chongqing ranked second in the nation for its business environment for the elderly care industry.
"Despite Chongqing's strategic location in the western region, there is room for improvement in the level of elderly care services, with the comprehensive establishment of the high-age allowance system yet to be achieved. The development of the eldercare industry remains insufficient, with noticeable imbalances in urban and rural regional development, particularly evident in rural areas with clear deficiencies in elderly care services. The city also faces challenges such as a shortage of talent and the need for higher quality," said Deng.
To address these issues, Deng suggested strengthening financial support by refining the mechanism for government-purchased elderly care services. She called for including funds required for basic elderly care services in the fiscal budget, with a special emphasis on directing central transfer payment funds towards western regions, including Chongqing.
She urged the introduction of more supportive policies in industry development, tax exemptions, and financial support. These policies aim to encourage the deployment of a greater number of eldercare industry projects in Chongqing.
Deng suggested establishing a professional title system for elderly care service personnel as a pilot initiative. Additionally, she suggested the comprehensive implementation of an accidental injury insurance system for the elderly, positioning Chongqing as a testing ground for these initiatives.
Huang Ailong, a member of the CPPCC National Committee and president of Chongqing Medical University. (Photo/Chongqing Municipal Committee of the CPPCC)
Huang Ailong, a member of the CPPCC National Committee and president of Chongqing Medical University, leveraging his medical expertise, advocated for the synergy of "talent chain, education chain, innovation chain, and industry chain" to propel the city's elderly care services and industry to a higher level of coordinated development.
In response to the needs of the evolving elderly care industry, Huang suggested cultivating a multi-tiered talent pool for medical and caregiving professionals. This approach involved addressing the shortage of caregiving staff by strengthening relevant vocational training programs and expanding the supply of caregivers. Furthermore, Huang emphasized the importance of tailoring educational initiatives to meet the demands of high-end care institutions and the evolving healthcare landscape.
He highlighted the significance of attracting top-tier talent globally, fostering an environment conducive to innovation and leadership in the elderly care and management sectors. This involved targeted efforts at various levels, from grassroots caregiving roles to specialized professionals and strategic leaders, ensuring a comprehensive and adaptive approach to the evolving needs of the industry.
Huang's suggestions extended to developing an innovative ecosystem, where the layout of the industry chain catalyzes advancements in the innovation chain and vice versa. He stressed the need for focused investment in disciplines related to elderly care, such as geriatric medicine, nursing, rehabilitation medicine, and neuroscience. Additionally, he advocated for support for translating innovative outcomes into practical applications, reinforcing Chongqing's core competencies in elderly care and positioning the city at the forefront of collaborative innovation in the sector.