Driven by urbanization and large-scale migration, the traditional role of family support for the rural elderly has weakened. Family support alone is no longer enough to meet the growing demand for elder care. What alternatives can meet the needs of China’s rural elderly?

China’s population is aging fast, and the challenge is most visible in rural areas. As younger generations leave for the cities, the traditional family support system is weakening. What challenges do rural older adults face and how do they navigate their later years?