The Mindset: Tackling The Challenges of Old Age Care in Communities in China

Abstract:In policy analyses, the mindset of policymakers is crucial to determine the governing culture, incentivise stakeholders and assess the policy outcomes. By examining the policies associated with community-based care, this article analyses how policymakers have responded to the needs of old age care in China. The research establishes that China has shifted from a fixed to a growth mindset, which anticipates a growing investment in community-based old age care services. However, after the initial excitement, the growth mindset, being fixated on the economic perspectives of the old age care service system, has become a constraint, especially if the performance indicators are not set to improve the quality of care and the development of human resources in age care. It is time to move one step further to adopt a "benefit mindset" that is centred around addressing the needs of older people.