Work

Factors affecting the supply of long-term care services in China: a supply-side perspective on designated facilities

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The global aging process is accelerating, and the demand for long-term care is increasing. Although there is abundant research on the demand for long-term care insurance, studies on the factors affecting its service supply are relatively scarce. METHODS: This study employed a cross-sectional research design, utilizing a questionnaire survey conducted across 3,315 long-term care facilities in China. The survey aimed to identify the fundamental, operational, policy, economic and demographic factors that affect the supply of long-term care services in China. RESULT: Most of the 3,315 designated long-term care facilities were non-profit, independent and privately owned, concentrated in residential communities in East China. Facilities located in areas with better economic support, and larger elderly populations showed greater service capacity. Moreover, factors such as treatment payments for severely disabled individuals, regional GDP, the proportion of the population aged 60 and above, facility ownership, whether the facility is part of a chain, geographic location, the presence of digital tools and talent incentive mechanisms, as well as the implementation of professional staff training, were all significantly associated with actual operational performance. CONCLUSION: This study reflects the service supply of LTCFs from three dimensions, namely service provision capacity, practical operational performance, and service items. The analysis indicates that LTCI financing design, the level of economic development, the proportion of the elderly population, the presence of digital tools and talent incentive mechanisms, the implementation of professional staff training, etc., affect service supply outcomes across various dimensions differently. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Not applicable.

Source: BMC Health Services Research

DOI: 10.1186/s12913-025-13784-5