Personal Emergency Response System in China
Overview of the Elderly Population in China
The elder generation in China has become a social, political and moral issue as the population of this group continues to dramatically increase. This year, 2007, there are already 140 million over the age of 60, which represent 12.36% of the total Chinese population. This figure is much higher than the 9% worldwide average, and is still climbing at an alarming speed. As the economy continues to boom and living standards improve, the average life span is also expected to rise. By 2025, the total number of those over 60 is expected to reach 284 million, 19.3% of the total population, which is more than double the figure today. Among this generation, there will be 25.75 million over the age of 80, which is 1.76% of the total senior population, and 23.2% of the total world wide.
- The number of "Empty nest" elders has also drastically increased along with the associated difficulties of handling personal daily needs. Care for the elderly has become a family crisis in China. In China, care for the elderly still follows the traditional way — the elderly are cared for by their adult children. It is described as "4 + 2 + 1" — the couple is responsible for two pairs (4) of parents and 1 child as their own. However, under the current social structure, it is almost impossible to provide proper care to 4 elders and 1 child. The concept of family elder care has also been challenged. In addition, many elderly parents do not wish to burden their adult children and choose to live independently, which further increases the number of "empty-nested elders". By the year 2010, 80% of those over 60 will be "empty nested elders." In 2010, China will reach a point of crisis regarding its aging, and facilities for the "empty-nested elders" who need caring will become a huge issue. The time to meet this demand is now.
- China must establish a social service system for elder care that is comparable in quality to those already established internationally. The aging social structure in China affords an opportunity to both families and society: How to provide the elderly a better and healthy life in retirement? There is an urgent need to transform the traditional care given by the family members to a social service system that provides living assistance services, recreation activities, healthcare/habitation and spiritual care.
