By tf-lawyer.com The relationship between the elderly and the young plays a crucial role in family happiness and social harmony. As young parents head to work, who will take care of their children? And as parents age, who will assist them in daily life? In recent years, some kindergartens have begun exploring a transformation, giving rise to the “intergenerational care” model, which is emerging as a new solution to the challenges of caring for both the elderly and young.
In various kindergartens, older individuals take care of the young, while children provide companionship to the elderly. This juxtaposition might seem surprising at first, but upon reflection, it makes sense. Currently, the childcare industry is undergoing a transformation, facing declining enrollment and numerous vacant classrooms, with approximately 14,800 kindergartens closing across the country in 2023 alone. At the same time, elder care represents a vast market opportunity. The need for nursing care beds in China currently stands at around 6.5 million, while the actual number available is about 3 million, highlighting a significant gap.
Change is inevitable, and adapting before it arrives is essential. It’s fair to say that some kindergartens are strategically pivoting to offer intergenerational care services, which is a beneficial exploration for finding new pathways and an agile response to market dynamics. This approach not only activates existing resources but also alleviates concerns for families juggling the needs of both the elderly and young.
Transformation doesn’t necessarily mean starting from scratch. While childcare and elder care may seem to occupy opposite ends of the life spectrum, their care needs often overlap significantly. Kindergartens are typically located in community areas for accessibility and convenience, which aligns with home-based elder care services; both young children require supervision and support during meals, much like the elderly. The existing infrastructure and personnel at kindergartens provide strong foundational support for this transition. In 2023, over 92,000 new “intergenerational care” enterprises were registered nationwide, marking a 20.3% increase from the previous year. It’s clear that many businesses recognize the market potential in this area.
However, any transformation comes with its challenges. “Intergenerational care” must not only address the needs of the elderly but also those of the young, requiring a balance between the two that calls for a higher level of professionalism. This isn’t simply about rebranding kindergartens. Facilities like classrooms, restrooms, and dining areas designed for young children may not be suitable for older adults, necessitating adaptations for age-friendly environments. The expertise needed to care for both demographics is also lacking, with a significant shortage of professionals capable of addressing the needs of both young and elderly individuals. Furthermore, generational differences can lead to misunderstandings or conflicts, particularly as many older adults may have underlying health conditions that increase safety risks.
Intergenerational care is not merely a sum of childcare and eldercare; it requires careful planning, refined management, and continuous improvement based on experience. For example, since childcare and eldercare fall under different administrative departments, there are barriers to supportive policies. Establishing a cross-departmental coordination mechanism and creating a specialized policy package for intergenerational care could greatly expand service offerings. Cities like Shenzhen and Chengdu have already begun providing support in terms of facilities and funding for these enterprises.
To address the shortage of qualified professionals, vocational schools could collaborate with businesses to develop a curriculum and internship programs focused on intergenerational services, thereby cultivating specialized talent. Additionally, implementing effective communication and feedback mechanisms to regularly gather insights from seniors, children, and their families could help fine-tune service delivery. It will take the involvement of diverse stakeholders and concerted efforts at multiple levels for the new intergenerational care model to thrive.
