Evolution of smart elderly care policies: a research review
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Evolution of smart elderly care policies: a research review

Yudi Peng 1*
1 School of Economics and Management, Nanjing Tech University
*Corresponding author: xubi@asu.edu.pl
Published on 24 September 2025
Journal Cover
ASBR Vol.16 Issue 8
ISSN (Print): 2753-7110
ISSN (Online): 2753-7102
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Abstract

With the trend of global population aging escalating, the problem of population aging in China is becoming increasingly prominent. The traditional home-based elderly care model and institutional elderly care model are being challenged, showing a clear mismatch between elderly care service supply and demand. In light of this context, smart elderly care, has emerged. As an information technology-based model, smart elderly care has become a key focus area for preferential policy support. This study focuses on smart elderly care policies and identifies four directions of current policy research, including technology application and innovation, service system optimization, policy support and establishment of standards, as well as social coordination mechanisms. Specifically, it involves promoting the widespread adoption of technologies such as smart wearable devices, telemedicine, and home monitoring systems to achieve intelligent health monitoring and emergency response; integrating community, institutional, and home-based elderly care resources to build a comprehensive "internet + elderly care" platform that offers personalized services; encouraging active involvement of enterprises through fiscal subsidies, tax benefits, and other incentive measures provided by the government; improving data security and industry standards; promoting multi-stakeholder cooperation, including families, communities, businesses, and non-profit organizations, to establish a sustainable elderly care model. Regarding the core problems of high technology costs, a digital divide among the elderly, and privacy protection, the government should accelerate the implementation of age-friendly design, while leveraging pilot programs to promote mature models, achieving widespread adoption of smart elderly care, and enhancing the effectiveness of policy implementation.

Keywords:

smart elderly care, elderly care services, the elderly digital divide

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Peng,Y. (2025). Evolution of smart elderly care policies: a research review. Advances in Social Behavior Research,16(8),14-20.

References

[1]. Gao, C. S. (2024). How can the high-quality development of smart elderly care be effectively promoted?Social Science Journal, (6), 172–180.

[2]. Huang, W. D., Geng, Y., & Yang, J. J. (2023). A smart home-based elderly care service system from the perspective of active aging.Chinese Journal of Gerontology, 43(12), 3062–3065.

[3]. Kong, W. (2024, August 27). Effectively developing elderly human resources to actively address population aging. Retrieved July 19, 2025, from https: //www.mca.gov.cn/n1288/n1290/n1316/c1662004999980001138/content.html

[4]. Mao, Y. H., Yan, Z. H., & Zhang, Z. (2024). Research on the social welfare of smart elderly care from the dual perspectives of city and household.Population Journal, 46(6), 112–128.

[5]. Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People’s Republic of China, Ministry of Civil Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, & National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China. (2021). Action plan for the development of the smart health and elderly care industry (2021–2025). Retrieved July 19, 2025, from https: //www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/2021-10/23/5644434/files/e7f33c3721144446aece8dfc2141d3bb.pdf

[6]. Qi, Z. M. (2025). Construction and operational mechanism of the elderly education ecosystem in smart elderly care communities.Education and Vocation, (3), 80–88.

[7]. Shen, Q., Li, L. Z., & Cai, Y. H. (2024). From exploring industrial layout to enhancing service systems: The evolutionary process and issues of China's smart elderly care policies.Social Policy Research, (3), 48–61+133.

[8]. Wang, J., & Liu, Z. (in press). New issues in smart elderly care: The shift from intelligent technology to elderly subjectivity. Journal of East China University of Science and Technology (Social Science Edition). Advance online publication. Retrieved June 13, 2025, from URL

[9]. Wang, Y., He, C., & Wang, X. M. (2024). Investigation and study on the demand for smart home-based elderly care among middle-aged and older adults under different living arrangements.Shanghai Urban Planning Review, (3), 31–36.

[10]. Wen, J., & Liu, Q. (2023). Uncertainty risks in smart elderly care and response strategies.Jianghuai Forum, (5), 57–64, 193.

[11]. Xinhua News Agency. (2021, March 13). The outline of the 14th five-year plan for economic and social development and long-range objectives through the year 2035 of the People’s Republic of China. Retrieved July 19, 2025, from https: //www.gov.cn/xinwen/2021-03/13/content_5592681.htm

[12]. Xinhua News Agency. (2023, May 21). [Document title]. Retrieved July 19, 2025, from https: //www.gov.cn/gongbao/2023/issue_10506/202306/content_6885267.html

[13]. Yang, T. (2024). Research on the development model of the rural smart elderly care industry.Chinese Journal of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, 45(2), 179, 200.

[14]. Yuan, W. Q., & Wang, Z. X. (2024). Potential risks in smart elderly care development and strategies for their avoidance.Urban Problems, (1), 84–91, 103.

[15]. Zhu, M. L., & Deng, Y. P. (2023). International governance experience and enlightenment of smart old-age care in the legal and ethical perspective.Social Security Studies, (4), 85–92.

[16]. Zhu, Q. (2023). Digital dilemmas and responses in smart elderly care.People’s Tribune, (22), 64–68.

[17]. Zhu, Q. H., & Zhao, Y. X. (2023). Age-friendly transformation of internet applications from the perspective of smart elderly care.Information and Documentation Services, 44(2), 21.

[18]. Zuo, M. Y. (2024). Prospects and pathways for the development of the smart elderly care industry.People’s Tribune,(13), 24–27.

[19]. Zuo, M. Y., & Yang, Y. M. (2025). A study on smart elderly care services based on the dynamic needs analysis of elderly groups across different age stage. Journal of Sichuan University (Philosophy and Social Science Edition), (3), 15–27+226–227.

References

[1]. Gao, C. S. (2024). How can the high-quality development of smart elderly care be effectively promoted?Social Science Journal, (6), 172–180.

[2]. Huang, W. D., Geng, Y., & Yang, J. J. (2023). A smart home-based elderly care service system from the perspective of active aging.Chinese Journal of Gerontology, 43(12), 3062–3065.

[3]. Kong, W. (2024, August 27). Effectively developing elderly human resources to actively address population aging. Retrieved July 19, 2025, from https: //www.mca.gov.cn/n1288/n1290/n1316/c1662004999980001138/content.html

[4]. Mao, Y. H., Yan, Z. H., & Zhang, Z. (2024). Research on the social welfare of smart elderly care from the dual perspectives of city and household.Population Journal, 46(6), 112–128.

[5]. Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People’s Republic of China, Ministry of Civil Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, & National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China. (2021). Action plan for the development of the smart health and elderly care industry (2021–2025). Retrieved July 19, 2025, from https: //www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/2021-10/23/5644434/files/e7f33c3721144446aece8dfc2141d3bb.pdf

[6]. Qi, Z. M. (2025). Construction and operational mechanism of the elderly education ecosystem in smart elderly care communities.Education and Vocation, (3), 80–88.

[7]. Shen, Q., Li, L. Z., & Cai, Y. H. (2024). From exploring industrial layout to enhancing service systems: The evolutionary process and issues of China's smart elderly care policies.Social Policy Research, (3), 48–61+133.

[8]. Wang, J., & Liu, Z. (in press). New issues in smart elderly care: The shift from intelligent technology to elderly subjectivity. Journal of East China University of Science and Technology (Social Science Edition). Advance online publication. Retrieved June 13, 2025, from URL

[9]. Wang, Y., He, C., & Wang, X. M. (2024). Investigation and study on the demand for smart home-based elderly care among middle-aged and older adults under different living arrangements.Shanghai Urban Planning Review, (3), 31–36.

[10]. Wen, J., & Liu, Q. (2023). Uncertainty risks in smart elderly care and response strategies.Jianghuai Forum, (5), 57–64, 193.

[11]. Xinhua News Agency. (2021, March 13). The outline of the 14th five-year plan for economic and social development and long-range objectives through the year 2035 of the People’s Republic of China. Retrieved July 19, 2025, from https: //www.gov.cn/xinwen/2021-03/13/content_5592681.htm

[12]. Xinhua News Agency. (2023, May 21). [Document title]. Retrieved July 19, 2025, from https: //www.gov.cn/gongbao/2023/issue_10506/202306/content_6885267.html

[13]. Yang, T. (2024). Research on the development model of the rural smart elderly care industry.Chinese Journal of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, 45(2), 179, 200.

[14]. Yuan, W. Q., & Wang, Z. X. (2024). Potential risks in smart elderly care development and strategies for their avoidance.Urban Problems, (1), 84–91, 103.

[15]. Zhu, M. L., & Deng, Y. P. (2023). International governance experience and enlightenment of smart old-age care in the legal and ethical perspective.Social Security Studies, (4), 85–92.

[16]. Zhu, Q. (2023). Digital dilemmas and responses in smart elderly care.People’s Tribune, (22), 64–68.

[17]. Zhu, Q. H., & Zhao, Y. X. (2023). Age-friendly transformation of internet applications from the perspective of smart elderly care.Information and Documentation Services, 44(2), 21.

[18]. Zuo, M. Y. (2024). Prospects and pathways for the development of the smart elderly care industry.People’s Tribune,(13), 24–27.

[19]. Zuo, M. Y., & Yang, Y. M. (2025). A study on smart elderly care services based on the dynamic needs analysis of elderly groups across different age stage. Journal of Sichuan University (Philosophy and Social Science Edition), (3), 15–27+226–227.

Cite this article

Peng,Y. (2025). Evolution of smart elderly care policies: a research review. Advances in Social Behavior Research,16(8),14-20.

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.

About volume

Journal: Advances in Social Behavior Research

Volume number: Vol.16
Issue number: Issue 8
ISSN: 2753-7102(Print) / 2753-7110(Online)

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