Theoretical Insights and Practical Implications on Elderly Care Resource Allocation and Spatial Optimization in China
摘要
This chapter focuses on the allocation and spatial optimization of institutional elderly care resources in China, systematically summarizing the theoretical evolution and practical explorations in this field. First, it establishes spatial justice as the core value orientation, emphasizing that elderly care facility networks must possess the capacity to dynamically adapt to demographic shifts and environmental changes, thereby addressing equity and accessibility under rapid aging. Second, it distills five major practical insights: facility siting and resource optimization driven by intelligent algorithms; integrated regional coordination for balanced layouts; accessibility enhancement along the entire service chain; multi-tiered, community-embedded service systems; and real-time monitoring and management supported by big data and artificial intelligence. Finally, it highlights that future elderly care resource allocation must undergo a profound transformation—from static supply to dynamic response, from quantity expansion to equity optimization, and from fragmented governance to cross-scale coordination. The ultimate goal is to build a sustainable elderly care spatial system that is centered on the needs of older adults and involves the joint participation of multiple actors, providing robust theoretical support and policy pathways to address the challenges of rapid and deep population aging.