Construction of an evaluation system for family elderly care capacity

The family elderly care capacity not only influences the quality of life and health status of the elderly but also determines their ability to effectively access and utilize community-based age-friendly services. However, existing studies tend to focus on single dimensions-such as economic or caregiving factors-while lacking a systematic and operationally feasible evaluation system. This limitation constrains evidence-based policy design and the practical advancement of aging-in-place services. To address this gap, the present study develops a comprehensive and quantifiable evaluation system for assessing family elderly care capacity, drawing upon international standards, national policies, and relevant literatures. Employing methods including literature review, comparative analysis, and indicator system optimization, the study identifies three core dimensions-economic support, care support, and emotional support-and refines them into eight measurable indicators: monetary assets, family medical expenditure, housing conditions, daily care duration, caregiving skill, interaction and communication, participation in decision-making, and conflict incidence. A structured multi-dimensional scoring model was constructed to ensure logical consistency and systematic integration across indicators. It is demonstrate that the proposed framework provides a comprehensive, objective, and comparable assessment of family elderly care capacity. The proposed system offers a robust tool for identifying vulnerable households, supporting targeted interventions, and optimizing resource allocation.