A new profession in China is helping the elderly live at home for longer

Editor's note: CGTN presents "New Trends," which explores new trends among Chinese people as well as their underlying causes. We focus on the impacts of China's reform and opening up, emphasizing the modernization strategies outlined by the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. This era of transformation, driven by new productive forces, is reshaping Chinese people's lifestyles and daily experiences, blending tradition with innovation to redefine how they live and work.

In China, a new kind of professional is quietly transforming the lives of elderly residents. Zhong Jinxuan, an age-inclusive renovation assessor, arrives at the home of 82-year-old Zhao Bo, who lives alone.

With a roll of measuring tape in hand and a toolkit of samples – handrails, electrical fittings and safety devices – Zhong has come to ensure that Zhao's home is safe as well as comfortable.

Zhao, who has hearing and speech impairments and limited mobility, sits patiently as Zhong assesses his living space. Using a pen and paper, they communicate as Zhong inspects Zhao's bathroom, bedroom, kitchen and electrical systems.

"The bathroom needs handrails for safety, and the electrical outlets are not conveniently positioned," Zhong tells Zhao. He measures the space and develops a custom renovation plan that will make Zhao's home safer and more accessible. After the work is done, Zhao gives a thumbs-up, grateful for the new level of comfort and security in his home.

For China's growing elderly population, living in one's own home rather than a nursing facility is a dream many wish to hold on to for as long as possible. But the reality is that most homes were not designed with seniors in mind. This has led to a growing demand for age-inclusive home renovations, an industry that is rapidly taking shape in China.

A growing need for age-inclusive renovations

China is facing a demographic shift. According to recent government reports, in 2023, nearly 297 million people in China were aged 60 or above, making up over 21 percent of the population. The number of people aged 65 and older reached 216.76 million, or 15.4 percent. As the population of elderly people grows, so does the need for home modifications for seniors.

Professionals like Zhong are trained to assess and design customized home renovations that make spaces safer and more comfortable for seniors. These renovations focus on everything from bathroom handrails to making electrical outlets and switches more accessible.

"Our goal is to make sure elderly people can move around safely, cook, bathe and live without barriers in their homes," Zhong said.

He had been studying architecture and working in design for several years, but switched to age-inclusive renovation in 2021, joining a health technology company, where he undertook specialized training to understand the physical and psychological needs of elderly people.

Zhong's typical day involves visiting elderly residents, assessing their homes and then tailoring renovation plans that meet their specific needs. But his work goes beyond measuring and designing. He often spends time talking to elderly residents, many of whom live alone.

"Some of them are just looking for someone to talk to," he says. "It's not just about the physical changes, it's also about emotional support."

Growing market for age-inclusive renovations

Across China, many homes, especially those built before 2000, were not designed with the needs of elderly residents in mind. According to a 2022 survey by the China Consumers Association, nearly 60 percent of elderly people live in homes built more than 20 years ago, which makes the need for age-inclusive home renovations all the more urgent.

Despite the challenges, the future of age-inclusive renovations looks promising. Industry experts predict that by 2050, China's elderly population could reach 480 million, and the consumption potential of this group will grow significantly. As the country adapts to this shift, the age-inclusive renovation industry is poised for explosive growth.

The Chinese government has recognized this emerging need. The "14th Five-Year Plan," published in 2021, set ambitious goals to improve facilities, services and other social support for seniors. One of the goals is to renovate two million homes for disabled elderly people. The initiative is just the beginning, as the industry's potential market size has been estimated to reach trillions of yuan.

This year, the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development introduced a guideline for age-inclusive home renovations, which lays out 47 key renovation points across seven areas, including the living room, bathroom, kitchen and bedroom. The guideline is an important step toward standardizing age-inclusive renovations and ensuring that elderly people across China can live safely and comfortably in their homes.

Meng Lilian, chief specialist at the Sichuan Tianfu Health Industry Research Institute, said that in addition to physical renovations, the industry must also focus on improving services for elderly people. This includes home-based care services like meal delivery, health checkups and bathing assistance, services that go hand-in-hand with home renovations.

Read more: Tapping into New Professions: Elderly ability evaluators ensure quality of life in old age