Deciphering Long-Term Care Needs and its Challenges in China: Some Insights for India

The challenge of determining an effective long-term care (LTC) framework for persons older than 60 is manifold, especially for those with disabilities. This is even more so in overpopulated developing countries such as China and India. China has been experimenting with LTC pilot programs in 15 cities since January 2015, the oldest of them in Qingdao. China’s experience so far suggests that instituting a formidable and sensitive LTC mechanism requires comprehensive planning which includes local adaptability. This study assesses LTC Nursing Insurance (LTCNI) in Qingdao, the oldest pilot program among China’s LTC pilots. It is also inclusive as it covers home, residential, nursing care and community based LTC for insured urban and rural elders with critical needs. Unlike defined benefit or defined contribution LTC models, the Chinese LTC pilot programs and Qingdao model rely on defined responsibility sharing between government and individuals to provide for health, living arrangements, financial support and family environment. This study drew its findings from applying Sullivan’s method to the UN Life Tables of multi-cohort data analyses of Qingdao universal elder care model and projections. Comparative insights from China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) and the Longitudinal Aging Study in India (LASI) data are utilized to assess the need and utility of a similar model in enhancing health and life expectancy of India's elders.