In a recent interview with China News Service, Mao Wei, a prominent figure in Zhejiang Province as a member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial People’s Congress, Vice President of the Zhejiang Provincial Association of Social Sciences, and Director of Zhejiang Hospital, underscored the importance of supporting both the elderly and children for overall social well-being. With demographic shifts continuing to escalate, the health of senior citizens has emerged as a critical societal concern. This raises an important question: how can Zhejiang transition its healthcare model from “medical care” to “nurturing care” in response to the growing aging population?
Mao emphasized that Zhejiang is taking proactive steps in this direction by establishing a Geriatric Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Center. This includes innovative policy development and top-level design aimed at better integrating medical and supportive care. The goal is to create a holistic service system that meets the diverse needs of the elderly, including medical treatment, rehabilitation, nursing, and caregiving.
Reflecting on the past 75 years since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Mao pointed out a consistent improvement in public health. According to statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics, life expectancy in China has increased significantly, rising from 35 years at the country’s inception to 78.6 years in 2023. Among those aged 65 and older, around 140 million individuals, or 62.5% of that age group, are now receiving health management services at primary healthcare facilities.
This data illustrates two key takeaways: as people grow older, they face new health challenges, and there are marked differences in the types of modern diseases that affect individuals based on varying life expectancies. With the aging population, the role of geriatrics has become increasingly vital.
In Zhejiang, the aging demographic will serve as a fundamental condition for the province in the coming years. By the end of 2023, the population aged 60 and above reached 13.39 million, making up 26.17% of the total population. Notably, 99.61% of secondary and higher hospitals in Zhejiang have established geriatrics departments.
Mao highlighted that elderly individuals require more extensive societal support, both physically and psychologically. “We often think about what kind of care the elderly truly need. They value family companionship, but real challenges arise when medical needs emerge,” Mao explained. He candidly noted that despite the well-meaning efforts of family members, not all caregiving challenges can be managed effectively, particularly in cases requiring long-term medical intervention, such as tracheal intubation or feeding through a gastrointestinal tube.
Many elderly patients find themselves in a tough position, needing ongoing medical care while their families and nursing institutions may be unable to provide adequate support. “We must enhance the integration of medical, eldercare, and rehabilitation services to effectively address these ‘last mile’ challenges,” Mao stated.
Zhejiang Hospital, serving as the province’s sole Geriatric Diagnosis and Treatment Center, is dedicated to fostering an integrated service model tailored to the needs of the elderly. Mao added that the responsibility for this initiative does not fall entirely on healthcare institutions; Zhejiang Hospital aims to act as a bridge in this effort.
When examining public healthcare systems in various provinces, the presence of specialized geriatric hospitals is relatively uncommon. “Zhejiang Hospital was among the first nationally designated key specialized hospitals, with a long-standing focus on elder care,” Mao elaborated. The inauguration of the Zhanzi branch of Zhejiang Hospital in 2018 was a significant advancement in the establishment of the province’s Geriatric Diagnosis and Treatment Center.
Recognizing the critical nature of rehabilitation, Mao highlighted significant investments in this area. “Many elderly patients need time to recover from underlying conditions before they can be released. Consequently, we have formed specialized rehabilitation teams and facilities in both branches to ensure a robust support system,” he noted. He also acknowledged that the unique needs of elderly patients often require more patience and attention than those of younger individuals.
In their pursuit of innovative elder care approaches, the hospital has partnered with the West Lake District Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine Hospital. “This collaboration is quite rare among district-level hospitals. We have implemented a streamlined two-way referral mechanism, which allows patients to transition seamlessly back to higher-level hospitals when necessary,” Mao explained. “Furthermore, the wards at the West Lake District Integrated Hospital are co-managed by Zhejiang Hospital, emphasizing a comprehensive approach to medical, nurturing, and caregiving services throughout a patient’s life.”
Mao envisions this model as one with potential for wider application, akin to a cooperative approach where “a big hand holds a small hand.” This framework connects hospitals, communities, and families, resembling a tiered logistic system. The success of this model hinges on favorable conditions and collaboration among various stakeholders, posing a challenge for both government and healthcare institutions in addressing aging-related issues.
Across Zhejiang, numerous initiatives are exploring the shift from “medical care” to “nurturing care.” For years, the province has advanced the integration of medical services and eldercare by encouraging nursing institutions with limited medical resources to collaborate with nearby healthcare facilities based on principles of convenience and mutual benefit.
To deepen the synergies between medical services and eldercare, Zhejiang has also instituted an incentive mechanism for integrated service teams, ensuring equitable treatment for staff at combined care facilities concerning professional titles, continuing education opportunities, and encouraging retired medical professionals to engage in integrated services.
By the end of 2023, Zhejiang boasted 417 fully licensed integrated service institutions, an increase of 38 from the previous year, along with 2,151 healthcare facilities identified as age-friendly.
As the province strives to cultivate a senior-friendly society within the framework of shared prosperity, there is considerable anticipation for future developments.
