China’s diversifying demand for housing for the elderly

Purpose: This paper aims to examine the trends among the elderly population in China about residential preferences and policy applications, as the elderly is a rapidly expanding demographic group that has increasing and diversifying inclinations for demanding the residential facilities for the elder...

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Main Authors: Jia, Min, Heath, Timothy
Format: Article
Published: Emerald 2016
Subjects:
Online Access:https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/35668/
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author Jia, Min
Heath, Timothy
author_facet Jia, Min
Heath, Timothy
author_sort Jia, Min
building Nottingham Research Data Repository
collection Online Access
description Purpose: This paper aims to examine the trends among the elderly population in China about residential preferences and policy applications, as the elderly is a rapidly expanding demographic group that has increasing and diversifying inclinations for demanding the residential facilities for the elderly (RFEs) now and in the foreseeable future. Design/methodology/approach: Based on a review of the existing literature and policies, a model is conceptualised for understanding the demands of the elderly. Their needs for functional supportiveness and richness of residential resources in RFEs are then categorised into focal groups. Findings: The Chinese elderly’s demand for specialised residential facilities is under a shift from seeking deficit relief to pursuing personal choices. It is suggested that there will be a continuing demand for affordable RFEs from a number of key focal groups, including: the functionally impaired; marginally housed; socially isolated; and the elderly requiring social relief. In addition, retirement housing in China is likely to be more affordable for the next elderly generation. However, the immature social welfare system and low average income level of the current elderly generation means that the Chinese Government has tough decisions to make about service priorities. Practical implications: Policy and investment priorities may have to be inclusive of those who demand social relief (free-of-charge) and affordable professional long-term care in RFEs, whereas the rest of the demand could be released by growth in the development of community- and home-based service systems. Originality/value: This study is one of the first to identify the diversifying demands of age-exclusive living facilities for the elderly that deserve priorities in China. The results can inform and guide future policy and project investment in China.
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spelling nottingham-356682020-05-04T17:43:35Z https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/35668/ China’s diversifying demand for housing for the elderly Jia, Min Heath, Timothy Purpose: This paper aims to examine the trends among the elderly population in China about residential preferences and policy applications, as the elderly is a rapidly expanding demographic group that has increasing and diversifying inclinations for demanding the residential facilities for the elderly (RFEs) now and in the foreseeable future. Design/methodology/approach: Based on a review of the existing literature and policies, a model is conceptualised for understanding the demands of the elderly. Their needs for functional supportiveness and richness of residential resources in RFEs are then categorised into focal groups. Findings: The Chinese elderly’s demand for specialised residential facilities is under a shift from seeking deficit relief to pursuing personal choices. It is suggested that there will be a continuing demand for affordable RFEs from a number of key focal groups, including: the functionally impaired; marginally housed; socially isolated; and the elderly requiring social relief. In addition, retirement housing in China is likely to be more affordable for the next elderly generation. However, the immature social welfare system and low average income level of the current elderly generation means that the Chinese Government has tough decisions to make about service priorities. Practical implications: Policy and investment priorities may have to be inclusive of those who demand social relief (free-of-charge) and affordable professional long-term care in RFEs, whereas the rest of the demand could be released by growth in the development of community- and home-based service systems. Originality/value: This study is one of the first to identify the diversifying demands of age-exclusive living facilities for the elderly that deserve priorities in China. The results can inform and guide future policy and project investment in China. Emerald 2016-05-01 Article PeerReviewed Jia, Min and Heath, Timothy (2016) China’s diversifying demand for housing for the elderly. International Journal of Housing Markets and Analysis, 9 (2). pp. 256-271. ISSN 1753-8270 China Housing with care Age-exclusive housing Demand for housing for the elderly Residential facilities for the elderly Retirement housing http://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/abs/10.1108/IJHMA-04-2015-0018 doi:10.1108/IJHMA-04-2015-0018 doi:10.1108/IJHMA-04-2015-0018
spellingShingle China
Housing with care
Age-exclusive housing
Demand for housing for the elderly
Residential facilities for the elderly
Retirement housing
Jia, Min
Heath, Timothy
China’s diversifying demand for housing for the elderly
title China’s diversifying demand for housing for the elderly
title_full China’s diversifying demand for housing for the elderly
title_fullStr China’s diversifying demand for housing for the elderly
title_full_unstemmed China’s diversifying demand for housing for the elderly
title_short China’s diversifying demand for housing for the elderly
title_sort china’s diversifying demand for housing for the elderly
topic China
Housing with care
Age-exclusive housing
Demand for housing for the elderly
Residential facilities for the elderly
Retirement housing
url https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/35668/
https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/35668/
https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/35668/