Qingyin and Qingyin live together and care for each other in a group. Both sides of the Taiwan Strait have their own advantages.
In an interview, Zhang Guoxing, a representative from the Chinese insurance industry, shared his insights on the varying approaches to elder care in China and Taiwan amidst their aging populations. He highlighted the rise of group elder care in mainland China, compared to Taiwan’s concept of intergenerational living and co-housing for seniors. Having visited numerous care facilities in both regions, Zhang pointed out their unique advantages: while care services in mainland China are generally more affordable, Taiwan benefits from government regulation, though it lacks a sustainable profit model.
Zhang described his visit to the Central North Social Housing in Taiwan, which is recognized as a pioneering institution for intergenerational living. The complex consists of four buildings housing approximately 1,070 units, with monthly rents as low as $295 for a studio apartment. Two-bedroom units range from $420 to $490, while three-bedroom apartments go for $590. For elderly or low-income residents, rents are even lower. The model encourages collaboration, with younger residents engaging with seniors in the community by organizing activities, fostering an environment where no specific professional skills are required, just a willingness to participate.
He also visited the Heqin Co-Housing facility in Taichung, which features accessible amenities such as sliding doors for wheelchair users and mobile emergency call systems that can also function as phones. The beds are equipped with sensing systems that monitor the breathing, pulse, and wake times of residents, providing valuable data for healthcare providers to tailor prescriptions accordingly. Additionally, the bathrooms are designed with multiple drains to prevent slipping from standing water, while wooden floors enhance insulation.
Zhang emphasized the importance of social connections for seniors, noting that their social circles often shrink with age. He explained that co-housing arrangements can integrate community services, where staff teach seniors various skills such as flower arranging or painting, and share meals together—creating interactions reminiscent of grandparent and grandchild relationships. The concept of co-living is not enclosed, as it welcomes not only the residents but also community members.
On the other hand, he detailed the trend of group elder care in mainland China, projecting that by 2035, there will be over 400 million seniors aged 60 and older. Zhang recounted visiting a public-private elder care facility in Changsha, situated on 50 acres with over 1,000 beds and comprehensive public amenities, currently operating at about 10% capacity. The facility boasts hotel-like accommodations, making it more cost-effective than similar services in Taiwan. Innovative solutions are also present, such as medication dispensing systems integrated into bed alarms that only open at designated times to avoid errors.
Zhang noted that the facility is divided into self-care, nursing, and dementia-specific zones, and prospective residents undergo health assessments prior to moving in. Those entering self-care double rooms may share them with spouses or friends and are provided with emergency response systems monitored around the clock. With hundreds already living there, the diverse options in China’s elder care sector are encouraging, and foreigners can easily access these facilities as long as they self-finance.
He further mentioned that every district in Changsha boasts such facilities, many of which offer specialized programs for dementia patients, including music therapy and reminiscence therapy. Weekly activities engage residents actively, and one senior likened her experience to living in a boarding school where she returns home on weekends.
At 65, Zhang expressed his search for elder care options. Despite his extensive visits to various facilities in China and Taiwan, he stated that his preferred choice remains the United States due to the close proximity of family and friends. He acknowledged the allure of traveling to Southeast Asia should his health permit but expressed concerns that no place currently meets all his needs. His priorities include a nurturing environment, the caregivers’ cultural competence, and the sustainability of the services provided.
