Sustained precariousness in the grey space: self-organized care homes for older adults as frugal aging-in-place innovations in rural China

Ziqi Zhang, Linzhi Su, Qun MA, C. C. Han · 2026 · The Gerontologist

Summary. Self-organized care homes in rural China operate informally in farmhouses to provide affordable elder care where government services are absent. These grassroots facilities succeed through creative use of space, kinship trust, and resourcefulness, enabling older adults to age in place with dignity and autonomy. However, their legal ambiguity creates ongoing vulnerability. The study argues policymakers should regulate these innovations carefully to protect residents while preserving the flexibility that makes them work.

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@article{zhang-2026-sustained-precariousness-grey-space-self,
  title   = {Sustained precariousness in the grey space: self-organized care homes for older adults as frugal aging-in-place innovations in rural China},
  author  = {Ziqi Zhang and Linzhi Su and Qun MA and C. C. Han},
  journal = {The Gerontologist},
  year    = {2026},
  doi     = {10.1093/geront/gnag037},
  url     = {https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnag037}
}

TY  - JOUR
TI  - Sustained precariousness in the grey space: self-organized care homes for older adults as frugal aging-in-place innovations in rural China
AU  - Ziqi Zhang
AU  - Linzhi Su
AU  - Qun MA
AU  - C. C. Han
JO  - The Gerontologist
PY  - 2026
DO  - 10.1093/geront/gnag037
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnag037
ER  - 

Details

DOI

10.1093/geront/gnag037

Countries

China

Regions

Asia

Categories

rural-healthcare, innovation-theory, policy

Added

2026-04-28