Self-portrait of young and middle-aged aged care -- Based on the investigation of young and middle-aged aged care willingness and influencing factors in Bengbu

Abstract

With the advent of an aging society in China, the issue of elderly care has become increasingly severe. Particularly in the next 10 to 20 years, the current middle-aged and young population aged 30–50 will enter old age. The trend of smaller family sizes and fewer children has challenged the traditional family-based elderly care model. This study focuses on the middle-aged and young population in Bengbu, exploring their willingness and influencing factors regarding elderly care through questionnaire surveys and data analysis. The research finds that the average elderly care demand level among Bengbu's middle-aged and young population is 0.626, indicating a moderately high level of willingness and demand. Key influencing factors include physical health, education level, and marital status. Those with poorer health, higher education, or who are unmarried or living alone express greater concerns about their future elderly care. The study suggests that the government should improve basic elderly care systems and policies, while society should establish a diversified elderly care security system, strengthen community-based elderly care institutions, and promote a complementary relationship between family-based and socialized elderly care to address future elderly care challenges