An ecological Framework for active aging in China

Objectives: Against the background of emerging research interest in integrating Active Aging in long-term care policies, the study investigates the relationships between community environment and engagement in social activities (paid work, domestic care, participation in community and leisure activities) by older Chinese adults. Six indicators are derived from the economic, institutional, and sociodemographic environments of the communities under analysis. Method: The first wave of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) is used for empirical examinations. The sample includes respondents aged 50 years and above (n = 6,290) from 307 communities. Random-intercept multilevel logistic models are employed. Results: Economic environment is positively linked to engagement in paid work and grandparental childcare, community activities, and leisure activities. However, the effects decreased after including the indicators for the institutional and sociodemographic environments. We found that older adults are more likely to engage in community activities and leisure activities in communities and with a higher percentage of migrant population. Discussion: To integrate Active Aging in the current long-term care policies in China, the study points out that residential community environment is crucial for older Chinese to enhance and sustain their involvement in family and communities before older adults rely on long-term care facilities. In particular, the relevance of institutional and sociodemographic environment provides policy makers to rethink about how to provide community-based long-term care.