Eldercare Is now a recognized profession

China is transitioning its eldercare sector from broad coverage to a highly professionalized, community-integrated delivery model to support a population where over 320 million people are currently aged 60 and above. A critical component of this shift is the introduction of the "Elderly Care Service Professional" national qualification, which standardizes care management roles and mandates rigorous theoretical and practical training. Cities like Shanghai are implementing specialized medical escort services to assist seniors with hospital navigation and medication management, while Beijing is establishing a hierarchical service network—ranging from district-level guidance centers to neighborhood-level stations—to ensure accessible, localized support. By repurposing existing urban infrastructure for care facilities and creating clear career advancement paths for younger talent, these initiatives aim to address the urgent demand for specialized rehabilitation, dementia care, and comprehensive daily assistance as the elderly population continues to grow.