Gender differences in the association between community care and quality of life among older adults in China

As population aging accelerates in China, community care services have become increasingly important for supporting the well-being of older adults. However, research examining gender-specific associations between community care services and quality of life (QoL) remains limited. This study aimed to investigate the gender-specific associations between the perceived availability of community care services and QoL among older adults, using data from the eighth wave (2017-2018) of the China Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS). Multivariable linear regression models stratified by gender were employed to examine the associations between eight types of community care services and self-reported QoL, adjusting for potential confounders. A total of 8657 participants aged 65 years and older were included in the final analysis. The results indicated significant gender differences: among older men, the perceived availability of personal care services was positively associated with better QoL scores (beta = 0.132, P = 0.010), whereas among older women, the perceived availability of healthcare education services was positively associated with better QoL scores (beta = 0.053, P = 0.020). These findings suggest that gender-specific patterns exist in the associations between community care services and QoL, underscoring the need to tailor community care strategies to the distinct needs of older men and women. Overall, this study provides empirical evidence supporting the importance of community care services in promoting the well-being of the aging population in China.