Preferences for home-based care services during China’s long-term care market transition: evidence from a discrete choice experiment

Findings reveal that home-based care preferences in China are shaped by the dynamic interplay between formal care systems and informal support networks. While the availability of informal support influences individuals' reliance on formal services, the design, quality, and institutional credibility of formal care options also play a key role in shaping preferences. Together, these factors jointly shape how people evaluate and choose home-based care services during China's long-term care market transformation. The observed heterogeneity underscores the need for differentiated service models and policy responses tailored to diverse levels of social and institutional support.