Targeted policies can help unlock potential of seniors

Editor's note: China has pledged to proactively respond to the country's population aging and to refine policies and mechanisms for coordinating the development of elder care programs and industries in the coming years. Oriental Outlook magazine spoke to Luo Xiaohui, deputy director of the Institute of Health and Aging at the China Research Center on Aging, on how to develop an aging-friendly society. Below are excerpts of the interview. The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.

Population aging presents both opportunities and challenges. China is implementing a national strategy to address these by integrating the concepts of healthy aging into all aspects of socioeconomic development and embedding these concepts into policymaking and legislation.

From an economic perspective, it involves optimizing the silver economy by fully unlocking the potential of both elderly human resources and the senior consumer market. Socially, the focus is on building age-friendly cities and communities, promoting a culture of respect and support for the elderly.

In terms of care, it is essential to respect the autonomy of seniors, encourage their active participation and support their capabilities for self-care to reduce reliance on external assistance. Health services should prioritize a comprehensive system that emphasizes early interventions such as health education and preventive care.

The concepts of lifelong learning and continued social contribution in old age are interconnected. Many seniors are willing to learn new skills and continue contributing to society. Learning allows seniors to update their knowledge, acquire new skills and adapt to modern society, thereby allowing them to continue to be active participants. Contributing to society is the ultimate goal of this learning. Applying new knowledge in practical settings validates their efforts, brings a sense of fulfillment and motivates further learning.

Facilitating this transition from learners to active contributors requires a collaborative approach. Educational programs for seniors should be tailored to align with both societal needs and individual interests, offering practical courses in community service, digital literacy and health management. This will ensure that acquired knowledge translates into tangible value in areas such as volunteering and local governance.

Additionally, establishing clear pathways that connect education to practical application is essential. Institutions such as universities for the elderly can partner with businesses, social organizations and local communities to place graduates in suitable roles or organize teams for community initiatives. To further boost participation, robust incentive and support systems must be implemented, including public recognition, insurance coverage, streamlined administrative processes and financial subsidies.

To effectively tap into the wealth of elderly human resources while accommodating diverse needs, a tailored approach is essential. Healthy seniors with specialized skills are well-suited for reemployment, entrepreneurship or professional volunteer work in sectors such as education, science, healthcare and agriculture. Those with more free time but generalized skills can contribute through community governance.

Maximizing the potential of these seniors relies on accurately matching supply with demand. This can be achieved by creating comprehensive human resource databases that catalog the skills, specialties and employment preferences of active seniors. Additionally, targeted training programs are needed to help seniors bridge the digital divide and acquire skills that are relevant to emerging industries and fields that have high demand.

Finally, there is a need to establish multilevel development platforms to provide essential services such as job postings, career counseling, flexible employment opportunities and specialized talent pools.