Journal of the American Medical Directors Association
Review ArticleLong-Term Care Arrangements in Rural China: Review of Recent Developments
Section snippets
Methods
We used an iterative approach to identify eligible publications for this review. We searched articles and research and policy reports published in English or Chinese between 1979 and May 2009. Two strategies were used to identify potentially relevant literature. First, we conducted a database search using 3 English literature databases: PubMed (which includes MEDLINE and other life science journals for biomedical articles), PsycInfo, and Google Scholar. For Chinese literature, we also searched
Results
Limited studies have been conducted in the areas of LTC in China. Among the limited research, most studies have been concentrated on changing family structures and relationships,12, 13 attitudes toward institutional care,4, 14 community-based LTC,15, 16 and institutional care in urban China.17, 18 Most of the Chinese studies have focused on the need for LTC19, 20 and the public challenges and policy recommendations for developing LTC.21, 22 Few studies have examined the status and current
Discussion
Long-term care systems are emerging in rural China, particularly in wealthy areas near the eastern coast, but many of these systems are still in the preliminary stages of development. Additionally, the unequal development of China's economy continues to have a profound impact on the growth and development of various LTC systems across regions, in terms of facilities and infrastructure, residents' characteristics such as level of care needed, sufficient and appropriate staffing, uniform
Conclusions
With a growing population of elders, declining family sizes combined with a greater migration of young adults to cities and an increase of individuals' living standards, there is a pressing need for LTC in China. In the meantime, rural elders and their families are more accepting of institutional care for elders than in the past, especially in more economically developed areas. In response to these needs, formal LTC systems are emerging but remain in the preliminary stages of development.
Acknowledgments
We thank Corely Remle, PhD, for his editorial assistance and Mrs. Zhang Xuan for her assistance in literature search.
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2018, Geriatric NursingCitation Excerpt :The limited existing literature on LTC facilities in China indicates that care quality may be suboptimal due to a number of system-level barriers, including a lack of regulations,6,13 insufficient funding,14 a poor staff-to-resident ratio,14 and lack of staff training.6,13,15 Research on LTC policy development in China has indicated that national regulations are sketchy on quality standards, staff training and credentials, and scope of services.12,15 Limited research has focused on residents' experiences with physical function in residential LTC even though this knowledge is essential to inform high-quality care.16