Hình thành hệ sinh thái dịch vụ, việc làm và công nghệ cho người cao tuổi| VTV24

Key Concepts:

• Già hóa dân số nhanh (Rapid population aging): Việt Nam is experiencing a swift increase in its elderly population.
• Kinh tế bạc (Silver economy): An economic sector focused on goods and services for the elderly, driven by their increasing numbers and needs.
• Hệ sinh thái dịch vụ, việc làm và công nghệ cho người cao tuổi (Ecosystem of services, employment, and technology for the elderly): A comprehensive network of offerings designed to support and engage older adults.
• Chăm sóc người cao tuổi (Elderly care): Services encompassing health, medical, and emotional support for older individuals.
• Trung tâm chăm sóc người cao tuổi (Elderly care centers): Facilities providing care for the elderly, including day care and residential options.
• Nhân lực chăm sóc chuyên nghiệp (Professional caregiving workforce): Trained individuals dedicated to providing care for the elderly.

Summary:

Việt Nam is facing an unprecedentedly rapid population aging, necessitating proactive preparation to avoid wasting resources and ensure the elderly are not left in isolation and without support. The care of the elderly is not merely a social welfare responsibility but also a driver for socio-economic development, positioning older adults as key players in a new market: the silver economy. Current elderly care services reveal significant gaps, which in turn present opportunities for the development of a comprehensive ecosystem of services, employment, and technology tailored for this demographic.

The Urgency of Elderly Care in a Rapidly Aging Society

Mr. Trương Xuân Cừ, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Association of the Elderly, highlights that Vietnam's population aging is among the fastest globally, making elderly care a critical national task. Unlike countries like Japan, which began preparing for aging populations as early as the 1970s, Vietnam needs to act decisively. The market for elderly care is substantial, encompassing health, medical, and emotional support. A significant challenge is that while life expectancy is increasing, the health status of the elderly is not keeping pace, with 95% of Vietnamese elderly individuals having underlying health conditions. This underscores the paramount importance of health and medical care for this population.

Developing the Elderly Care Market and Workforce

To foster a market where the elderly are not only cared for but also actively participate, several aspects need development.

• Infrastructure: There is a severe shortage of elderly care facilities nationwide, with only about 500 centers currently existing. These centers accommodate a mere 0.07% of the elderly population, a remarkably low figure. Expansion is crucial, encompassing day care centers, residential care facilities, and in-home care services. With nearly 17 million elderly individuals in Vietnam, only about 12,000 are receiving regular care, indicating a vast unmet need.
• Human Resources: The demand for professional caregivers is high. Vietnam has experience in training labor for export and can leverage this expertise to develop a skilled workforce for domestic elderly care.
• Elderly Participation: The 13th National Party Congress recognized the elderly as possessing wisdom, experience, and enthusiasm. Therefore, they should be both recipients of care and active contributors. Healthy, wise, experienced, and skilled elderly individuals can continue to contribute to caregiving within centers and help establish new care facilities across the country.

The Role of Local Government and International Examples

Local government support is vital, particularly in providing policy frameworks. Three key policy areas require immediate attention: land allocation, tax incentives, and credit policies. These are fundamental to encouraging philanthropists, enthusiastic individuals, and investors to contribute to the development of elderly care centers, given the immense demand.

Several countries offer valuable lessons in developing the silver economy:

• Japan: Began focusing on the silver economy in the 1970s and is now a global leader, with the sector contributing approximately 20% to its GDP.
• Singapore: Initiated its focus in the 2000s, and the silver economy now contributes 15.5% to its GDP.
• China: Launched its silver economy development plan in 2023, with the sector contributing 6% to GDP (around $1 trillion) and projected to reach 10% ($4 trillion) by 2035. These figures demonstrate the significant economic potential.

Conclusion

By viewing population aging as an opportunity and expanding the elderly care market, Vietnam can transition into a silver economy where elderly care becomes a sustainable driver of economic development. The insights shared by Mr. Trương Xuân Cừ emphasize the urgent need for comprehensive elderly care solutions, the potential for a thriving silver economy, and the importance of learning from international best practices.