The impact of multidimensional mutual-aid care services on social functions: evidence from a case study in China

The unmet care needs of older adults are rapidly increasing in China. Informal family caregiving is weakened by the migration of the rural labor force to urban areas in search of better income and job opportunities. Formal care services are also insufficient due to insufficient governmental financial support, limited availability of formal caregivers, and challenging economic development conditions. A novelty solution is required to address these issues. This study draws on existing mutual-aid care services for older adults in rural China and proposes a theoretical framework to examine the impact of multidimensional mutual-aid care services. Key areas of focus include service design, delivery, and accessibility, as well as their implications for the social functioning of older adults. The model was tested through a case study in South China, involving exploratory interviews with 40 participants associated with the village’s mutual-aid care service system and an analysis of 112 implementation documents from 2000 to 2020. Our findings address significant research gap by emphasizing the importance of understanding the social implications of multidimensional mutual-aid care services in the community. This understanding can facilitate a better alignment of care policies with societal objectives and provide a more informed response to the challenges posed by aging population. We identify four structural dimensions of multidimensional mutual-aid care service including perceptions, regulations, providers and resources, and analyze their differential impacts on socio-cultural, social orientation, social integration and social communicational functions. Based on our findings, we propose four directions to guide future research and encourage discussion on policies aimed at aligning mutual-aid care service development with societal expectations for older adults. This study offers constructive insights, analyzes the delivery and accessibility of social care services, and highlights valuable lessons from China’s experiences, setting a modest example of efficient care service implementation on a local scale while maintaining an international perspective.