China stipulates national standards for disability nursing home care

China on Wednesday issued its first national standards for nursing home care services for people with disabilities.

The standards, to go into effect on Jan 1, 2020, apply to nursing home facilities for working-age persons with intellectual, mental and severe physical disabilities.

The standards include service contents, requirements and procedures, as well as management and service evaluation.

Previously, China's socialized nursing home care services were mainly aimed at orphans and disabled children under the age of 16, as well as elderly people over 60, said Feng Shanwei, a researcher at the China Disabled Persons' Federation (CDPF).

Nursing home care services for people with disabilities will help disabled adults with difficulties get access to basic care services and self-care training, she said.

Some disabled adults can also achieve self-reliance and employment, thus reducing their family burdens, Feng added.

Nursing home care services for people with disabilities is an effective measure to help those with intellectual, mental and severe physical disabilities to participate in social life on an equal footing, according to a statement jointly issued by the CDPF and seven other departments in 2012.

The services could also help reduce their family burdens, as well as promote social harmony and stability, the statement reads.