Managing the Rise of Older Adults in East Asia: Critical reflections on public-private-community partnership in long-term care

The rapid ageing of populations in East Asia, coupled with a high prevalence of chronic diseases, presents significant challenges for policymakers and service providers in delivering effective long-term care (LTC) to older adults. As care demands escalate, traditional family-based care models are increasingly strained, necessitating the development of more comprehensive and sustainable LTC systems. This study critically analyses the evolving role of public-private-community partnerships (PPCPs) in addressing the LTC needs of older adults in East Asia, focusing on the integration of care services and the empowerment of stakeholders. Through a comparative case study approach encompassing Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Singapore, the research examines the collaboration among governments, private sector entities, and community-based organizations in developing integrated LTC frameworks. The analysis identifies critical success factors for effective PPCP-based LTC systems, including clear policy frameworks, shared financial responsibilities, seamless coordination, and the empowerment of older adults and their caregivers. The findings underscore the need for a holistic, multi-stakeholder approach to addressing the diverse needs of older adults and their caregivers. Moreover, the study emphasizes the importance of continuous evaluation and adaptation to meet the changing demands of the ageing population. By comparing the PPCPs across different regions, the research highlights common challenges and successful practices, offering valuable insights for policymakers to design more effective LTC policies, and contributes to the development of sustainable LTC systems that can adapt to future demographic changes.