Can the old-age care service of empty nesters be replaced with land in rural China? A Qualitative study

Abstract Background With the rapid development of urbanization, the number of empty nesters in rural China is increasing rapidly. Empty-nesters could not receive enough old-age care from their children, which covers economic support, daily care and spiritual comfort. The problem of old-age care for rural empty-nesters is more difficult than that of the urban elderly. Objective The purpose of this study is to understand the old-age care problems of empty nesters and the implementation of “land replacement for old-age care” policy in rural China. Methods In-depth interview was used to collect data, and then inductive content analysis was used to collect and analyze the data. Thirteen participating empty-nesters were interviewed using semi-structured interview guidelines that were thoroughly discussed and agreed upon by all researchers. Results The huge challenge of old-age care is faced by empty nest elderly in rural areas. There are some obstacles in the implementation of “land replacement for old-age care", such as the lack of government guidance and organization, the lack of unified and scientific land management, and the elderly are more dependent on family supporting, and there is a certain resistance to nursing homes. With no adult children to accompany them, empty-nesters are more negative about their old-care problems, and there is a suicide tendency when they cannot take care of themselves. Conclusions Rural empty-nest elderly have great difficulty in seeking old-age care services in China. More efforts should be made to accelerate the implementation and guarantee of “land replacement old-age care “for rural empty-nesters.