Table 1 Policy framework for the provision of community care services for rural older people

Three-year Plan for the Development of Rural Home-based Care Service Facilities for Older People 2013

Department of Civil Affairs of Zhejiang Province

• To incorporate rural home-based care services into the social care service system;

• To develop home-based social care facilities covering one third of rural communities by 2015;

• To expand functions of home-based social care services, including information registration, demand assessment, daily life care, catering service, rehabilitation nursing, entertainment services and other voluntary services.

Implementation Opinions on Promoting the Development of Older People’s Care Industry 2014

The People’s Government of Zhejiang Province

• To increase public purchase funds and expand the supply of diversified and multi-level care services for older people;

• To achieve full coverage of home-based community care service centres in rural areas by 2017;

• To encourage rural old age association to participate in management of the care service centre;

• To guide private sectors to invest in residential care homes in rural villages.

Implementation Opinions on Optimising Older People’s Care System and Improving Service Quality 2018

The People’s Government of Zhejiang Province

• To promote the construction of rural demonstrated residential care homes;

• To improve care services for older people with disabilities and dementia;

• To increase finance support for the construction of rural care facilities and residential care homes.

The 14th Five-year Plan for the Development of Older People’s Care Services 2021

Department of Civil Affairs of Zhejiang Province

• To develop community catering services and domestic assistance for older people;

• To improve residential care homes for rural older people;

• To promote mutual support in old care across villages;

• To increase funds for the supply of basic care services for older people in rural areas.