UC Berkeley

In response to the rapidly growing need for social services among China's population, particularly for older people, the government has begun to explore the community-based service delivery model. Using the recent developments in China's care of older people as a case study example, this article documents the progress of community-based service delivery for the aged living in the community, and explores the community's evolving role in China's social service delivery system. China's model - a horizontal-vertical mixed model - presents a new perspective of defining service delivery and community practice, which has various implications and broadens the view of Western social work practice. © The Author(s) 2011.