China has the world's largest population, and it's also aging much faster than any other country in the world. Data from the Civil Affairs Ministry shows the country will have around 480 million seniors by 2050, or about a third of the nation's people. However, China's elderly care industry is still in its infancy. There's only a small number of nursing homes that are well managed and popular on the market. CGTN's Hu Chao reports.

 

It's six o'clock in the morning. 57-year-old Wang Miaoran is already at this nursing home and has begun her work for the day. She's been here for seven years. Wang is responsible for six seniors who aren't strong enough to look after themselves.

 

WANG MIAORAN, NURSING HOME WORKER SHANXI PROVINCIAL HOME FOR SENIORS "It's good for them to have good hygiene."

 

Wang's work will continue till eight o'clock pm. She's one of 45 nursing workers who look after over a hundred people. The staff has an average age of 50.

 

WANG MIAORAN, NURSING HOME WORKER SHANXI PROVINCIAL HOME FOR SENIORS "I've already gotten used to the demanding work. Now I enjoy working here."

 

Wang can earn around three thousand yuan a month. She's happy with the money she makes, and is willing to stay for several more years. The Shanxi Provincial Home for Seniors is a public nursing home in the capital Taiyuan. It's the most popular facility of its kind in the province. Many seniors say the amenities and services are great.

 

WANG ZHIBI SHANXI PROVINCIAL HOME FOR SENIORS "It has nice surroundings. We all enjoy living here."

 

AN SHUANDA SHANXI PROVINCIAL HOME FOR SENIORS "It's great. I've lived here for three years. Everything's great."

 

There aren't many places like this nursing home in the country. Most suffer from high worker and client turnover, due to mismanagement and poor services. Many nursing home managers seek the advice of Du Wenjie, the head of the Shanxi facility. Du says improving management can help solve plenty of problems.

 

DU WENJIE CHIEF OF SHANXI PROVINCIAL HOME FOR SENIORS "Many public and private nursing homes are short on management skill. Good management will help keep the nursing workers, ensure better services and bring in more customers. And the local government also needs to build more well-managed public nursing homes as models, from which private ones can easily learn."

 

HU CHAO TAIYUAN, SHANXI PROVINCE China is facing a daunting challenge in providing adequate care for its growing number of elderly citizens. The standard of elderly care services in China lags behind those in many developed countries. But due to the growing demand and continuous efforts from the government and private enterprises, experts believe the industry will nevertheless have a bright future. Hu Chao, CGTN, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province.