China's reform of elderly care is to ensure all have access: official

China's ultimate goal of deepening the reform and development of elderly care services is to ensure that all elderly people have access to basic care, China's Minister of Civil Affairs Lu Zhiyuan said at a press conference on Sunday.

Just as there are schools for education and hospitals for medical care, there should be corresponding institutions for elderly care services, Lu said, adding that China will accelerate the establishment of a three-tier urban and rural elderly care service network for elderly care.

The country will also optimize a service delivery system based on home care, supported by community care, and underpinned by professional institutional care, combining medical and elderly care services, he said.

In his statement, Lu also emphasized five key supportive elements: elderly care planning, financial support, talent development, elderly care finance, and elderly care technology – especially the application of information technology.