Analysis of Influencing Factors of Elderly Care Service Demand and the Supply-side Differences—Taking the Families of Staff Members of Henan University of Chinese Medicine as the Analysis Object

Abstract

Unquestionably, the issue of population aging has surfaced as one of the paramount challenges that the progression of human society must grapple with in the twenty-first century. With the unremitting progress of socio-economic systems, breakthroughs in medical research, technology, and the consequential escalation in life expectancy, the phenomenon of population aging has rapidly permeated on a global scale. China, despite not leading the world in the proportion of aged population, holds the distinction of being home to the largest number of elderly individuals, attributable to its colossal population base. This circumstance underscores, compounds, and places a spotlight on the complexity and urgency of China's aging dilemma. In the process of dissecting these macroscopic trends, it becomes pivotal to also acknowledge a microscopic observation: there exists a striking imbalance between the supply and demand dynamics of elderly care services. Furthermore, the elements influencing the demand for elderly care services among individuals with diverse behavioural traits exhibit profound disparities. This variability is discernible not only across geographical, economic, and familial constructs, but also across individual attributes such as health status, lifestyle choices, and educational attainment. As a result, a crucial research objective emerges how to more effectively harness the internal and external characteristics associated with the aged population to gain insights into, and offer explanations for, the differentiated demands for elderly care services. This undertaking necessitates meticulous data manipulation and analysis, supplemented by an integrated application of multidisciplinary insights from fields like demography, sociology, and economics to form a holistic and profound research viewpoint. This endeavour, undeniably forming the epicentres of our prospective research, also provides us with a valuable opportunity to enhance our comprehension of the intricacies of population aging.

Social Activities and Depressive Symptoms Among Elderly Based on Rural and Urban Differences in China: a National Cross-Sectional Study

“…First, the level of participation could be due to disparity in material resources, power distribution, levels of education, need for social communication and economic status in rural areas. [40][41][42] Second, participation occurs more frequently when the basic necessities of food, clothing and personal safety are guaranteed. 42 Third, the rural elderly have as a priority the care-taking of left behind grandchildren when their offspring move to large cities to seek employment.…”

“…[40][41][42] Second, participation occurs more frequently when the basic necessities of food, clothing and personal safety are guaranteed. 42 Third, the rural elderly have as a priority the care-taking of left behind grandchildren when their offspring move to large cities to seek employment. In contrast, urban elderly are usually better educated, have a fixed income and persist in maintaining their social roles within their family and society, 28 enabling them to be more participative in social activities.…”