Let's take care of the elderly together.

Da Nang is entering a period of rapid population aging, leading to an increased demand for healthcare for the elderly. The models being implemented demonstrate significant efforts by the health sector, but in reality, many gaps still need to be filled...

Daytime care unit for the elderly at Da Nang Rehabilitation Hospital. Photo: Da Nang Rehabilitation Hospital.

As of July 2025, the city has 418,632 elderly people, accounting for 13.65% of the population. The average life expectancy is estimated at 75.5 years (compared to approximately 76.3 years in the former Da Nang). This is a higher aging rate than the national average, creating significant pressure on the healthcare system and social security network.

Combined care and treatment

In October 2025, Da Nang Rehabilitation Hospital launched its "Daytime Elderly Care Unit" model. According to Dr. Nguyen Van Dung, the hospital director, this model combines examination, treatment, rehabilitation, and comprehensive care and relaxation. Da Nang Rehabilitation Hospital is also a pioneering medical facility in establishing a specialized healthcare model for the elderly.

Accordingly, NCT patients come to the hospital for examination and treatment during the day and return home at night. Mr. Phan Van Hoa, residing in Cam Le ward, said that when he comes here, he not only participates in training programs to support musculoskeletal health, but also receives advice on nutrition and experiences the camaraderie of his peers during daytime activities.

According to a survey by the Da Nang City Population Department, 77.1% of elderly people in the city expect to be given the opportunity to participate in daytime healthcare models. However, disparities in healthcare quality between regions mean that the healthcare needs of the elderly are not met as expected. In localities far from urban centers, most elderly people only rely on local health centers or health stations when they are sick.

On average, she has to go to the hospital once a month, said Ms. Cao Thi Hai (Nong Son commune). Many days she has to wait a long time, and the journey is difficult, so she's very reluctant to travel, but if she doesn't go, her illness worsens. Most elderly people in the western areas of Da Nang regularly visit the Northern Quang Nam Mountain General Hospital or other large medical facilities in the center of Da Nang city for check-ups.

Dementia among the elderly also places significant pressure on healthcare services. At Da Nang Psychiatric Hospital, an average of 60 to over 100 elderly patients visit for examination each day. Common conditions include insomnia, anxiety disorders, depression, memory disorders, Alzheimer's disease, post-stroke dementia, Parkinson's disease, etc.

From June 2025, Da Nang Mental Hospital will launch a Mental Health Clinic for the Elderly. Accordingly, doctors and medical staff there will combine medication and psychological therapy, and organize communication activities on geriatrics knowledge to help the elderly and their families recognize early signs of illness and seek early intervention.

Resolution No. 72-NQ/TW of the Politburo on some breakthrough solutions in protecting, caring for, and improving the health of the people sets out requirements related to the care of the elderly, namely: Developing elderly care facilities; continuing to improve the rehabilitation service system; effectively combining medical facilities and elderly care facilities; and requiring that "each province and centrally-administered city have a geriatric hospital or a general hospital with a geriatrics department".

Ecosystem creation

According to Mr. Cao Van Trong, Deputy Director of the Quang Nam Traditional Medicine Hospital, most elderly people currently suffer from two to three chronic diseases, especially cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, and osteoarthritis. At the Quang Nam Traditional Medicine Hospital, the hospital aims to implement integrated treatment combining Traditional Medicine and Rehabilitation Medicine in each clinical department to improve the quality of treatment for neurological, musculoskeletal, and geriatric diseases. In particular, the hospital has set a goal of establishing a multidisciplinary Rehabilitation Department, focusing on the elderly.

Elderly people receive care and treatment at hospitals. Photo: XH

Da Nang is recognized as a locality that has implemented many models for caring for the elderly and has shown great interest in elderly care activities. Accordingly, the city provides 100% health insurance coverage for people aged 60-75 from near-poor and middle-income households; the rate of elderly people with health insurance cards in many localities has reached over 90%. In addition, intergenerational self-help clubs, health and wellness groups, and cultural and social activities for the elderly are gradually expanding, creating connections and providing spiritual support for the elderly.

Recently, the Ministry of Health organized a workshop titled "Developing the Geriatrics Specialty - Geriatrics Forum from Research to Clinical Practice," attracting participation from most major hospitals nationwide. At this workshop, experts noted that Vietnam has shifted from a model of infectious, acute diseases to a model of chronic, multi-diseases, with the elderly at the center of this transition.

Accordingly, older adults not only bear the burden of disease, but also represent a population group requiring more sophisticated, humane, and scientific care. This includes comprehensive rehabilitation care, nutritional and psychological support, functional and risk management, and the need to improve quality of life throughout their remaining years.

From a practical perspective, many professionals believe that Da Nang needs to focus on sustainable solutions, expanding home-based care at the grassroots level; increasing the number of mobile medical teams; and bringing screening and monitoring services for chronic diseases to residential areas, especially for elderly people living alone. In addition, there is a need to develop a network of affordable rehabilitation services, as this is a constant need for the elderly but is currently met by few facilities, especially in suburban areas.

Da Nang possesses many advantages to become a leading locality nationwide in elderly care, with its diverse public and private healthcare systems. However, narrowing the gap in access to healthcare between regions and placing the elderly at the center of social welfare strategies continue to be tasks that require stronger attention.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/cung-cham-lo-nguoi-cao-tuoi-3311934.html