As China's population ages, demand for senior care is becoming more diverse, and receiving care without leaving home is the preferred option for many older adults. Reporting from several regions shows how policy support, technology and improved services are making home-based care an increasingly important response to care needs. Familiar surroundings, emotional support and affordability allow older adults to enjoy later life where they feel at home.
Familiar surroundings and a sense of belonging are among the strongest advantages of care at home. A long-standing home and community hold memories and emotional connections. A familiar layout and contact with neighbors can reduce the loneliness and anxiety associated with an unfamiliar environment. As an older resident living alone in Wuchang District, Wuhan, put it: "I have lived in this house for decades. I see old neighbors when I go out, and I can follow my own routine at home. It is much more comfortable than somewhere unfamiliar." Unlike the shared routines of residential care, home-based care lets older adults decide when to eat, rest and take part in daily activities, preserving independence and the rhythms of life they have developed over many years.
Emotional companionship is another strength of aging at home. Compared with the limited interaction possible between care workers and residents in some facilities, living at home can enable frequent contact with family, whether children live together with their parents or provide support nearby. This helps relieve the isolation experienced by older adults living alone. In Nanjing County, Zhangzhou, support workers regularly visit bedbound older adults to clean their homes and spend time talking with them. In Wuhu, home visits bring companionship and care to older adults whose children live elsewhere. These personal connections can improve well-being and help support cognitive and mental health.
Affordability makes home-based care accessible to more families. Residential accommodation and service fees can place a substantial long-term burden on ordinary households. Home-based care avoids accommodation charges, with families paying for services such as home nursing or meal assistance according to need. National and local support policies can further reduce costs. From 2026, a nationwide care-service subsidy program for older adults with moderate or greater care dependency is being implemented. Zhangzhou and other areas have already issued more than 10,000 care-service vouchers. Wuhu has established ongoing funding for home-based care subsidies of RMB 100 to RMB 300 per month, depending on a person's level of dependency, helping more older adults access affordable, quality services.
More targeted services and closer links between healthcare and daily care are improving the quality of aging at home. Home-based care is developing into a combination of home, community and technology support. Local service networks provide accessibility improvements and care services within a 15-minute neighborhood, including meals, bathing, cleaning and medical assistance. Chenghuangmiao Community in Chengdu has converted unused space into neighborhood care facilities offering a senior dining service and meal delivery. Wuhan has installed smart monitoring equipment for older adults living alone, including mattresses that monitor vital signs and systems that provide fall alerts. In Zhangzhou, professional medical and nursing teams offer home services such as pressure injury care and catheter replacement, helping people with limited mobility obtain professional support without traveling.