Urban Acupuncture and Co-Production: A Study on the Effective Provision of Community-Based Elderly Care Services—The Case of the “Senior Hair Salon” in District X of City C

Abstract

Developing a community-based elderly care supply model characterized by multi-agent participation, multifunctional services, and comprehensive pr ocess management is a crucial strategy for enhancing the efficiency of elderly care service production, invigorating elderly care spaces, and guaranteeing the progress of elderly care service projects. This paper addresses issues such as the diminished role of the service population in community elderly care provision, the disorganized activation of unused spaces, and the challenges in maintaining operational continuity. Focusing on the “Senior Hair Salon” in Z community of X district, C city, the study synthesizes “co-product ion” and “urban acupuncture” theories to establish an analytical framework centered on space, characters, and connections. The paper conducts a thorough examination of the “Senior Hair Salon” service model, discussing the role of key individuals, the utilization of sensitive spaces, and the management of essential connections. The research identifies the pivotal role of the elderly in community-based elderly care provision—not merely as service recipients but also as leaders and coordinators in service activities. Based on these findings, the paper describes the site selection and adaptation of the service facility according to the elderly’s needs and outlines the formation of a collaborative operation model involving various stakeholders centered around the elderly community. This model prompts the district government, community neighborhood committees, volunteer service teams, and community residents to engage in a multi-agent co-production process. To maintain the uninterrupted functioning of the Z community’s “Senior Hair Salon” service, it is imperative to establish a dual incentive mechanism for the elderly and volunteer barbers, fostering their sustained contribution of community-oriented behavior. Additionally, developing an interconnected network between the Z community service point and the other five points is crucial for facilitating resource sharing and coordination among these various service points.