China: The Aging Giant

This article examines the changing demographics of China, with particular attention paid to the effect of the one‐child policy in relation to long‐term care of older people. It also examines the current state of health care for older people. Long‐term stays characterize hospital care. Most geriatric syndromes are less common in hospitalized older people (e.g., delirium, falls), but some (e.g., polypharmacy) are more common. A high volume of patients and brief targeted visits characterize outpatient care. Nursing homes exist in China, but relatively fewer than in the most developed countries.