What Hinders the Development of Chinese Continuing Care Retirement Community Sector? A News Coverage Analysis

Abstract

The continuing care retirement community (CCRC) is an emerging institutional living arrangement for the increasing number of older Chinese and has attracted a variety of investors from different sectors in China. However, the development of this sector is still in its infancy and encounters various barriers. This paper aims to explore what hinders the development of the Chinese CCRC industry based on a comprehensive content analysis of news coverage retrieved from 14 major Chinese portal websites. Twenty-one barriers are identified, and they are closely related to the development and operation of CCRCs, government policies and industry management, and potential and current customers. Of all the barriers, the high risks involved in the delivery of CCRCs, lack of policy support, and affordability issue are the most frequently mentioned barriers relating to CCRC development and operation, government policies and industry management, and customers, respectively. These identified barriers call for close collaboration cross various CCRC stakeholders in order to ensure healthy development of the Chinese CCRC industry in the future. This study systemically explores the barriers hindering the development of the burgeoning Chinese CCRC sector, and its findings will benefit CCRC stakeholders and the Chinese CCRC industry in a number of ways.

Retirement village buying intention

“…In light of their reduced physical capabilities, a safe and barrier-free living space, ease of maintenance and operations, as well as provision of medical facilities are unique ergonomic requirements needed by elderly (Pinto et al , 1997; Dul et al , 2012). Undeniably, retirement villages with elderly-friendly housing design, supportive community features and services, as well as adequate mobility options are the main features that support active living among elderly (Hu et al , 2019; Kochera and Bright, 2006). Likewise, Kim et al (2015) posit that a living environment with quality social networks could be a factor in affecting housing choices for the elderly.…”

Barriers to the development of prefabricated buildings in China: a news coverage analysis

“…News reports contain a lot of valuable information by analyzing facts and interviewing experts on the spot (Hu et al, 2019b). By analyzing news reports, which can find the relationship in the surrounding environment of this phenomenon (Miyawaki et al, 2017).…”

Problems in the home and community‐based long‐term care for the elderly in China: A content analysis of news coverage

“…24,27 The satisfaction of LTC receivers is low. 28 Most communities still focus on the fulfilment of elderly's basic living needs such as the living care and prevention of accidents, while rehabilitation training, medical care and other services are neglected. 29 The shortage of professionals, low service quality, limited funding channels also hinder its development.…”

“…Studies pointed out that China's LTC infrastructure is seriously lacking, especially in areas with high population density of the elderly 24,27 . The satisfaction of LTC receivers is low 28 . Most communities still focus on the fulfilment of elderly's basic living needs such as the living care and prevention of accidents, while rehabilitation training, medical care and other services are neglected 29 .…”