敬老院是专门做养老服务的一个独立的社会福利性的组织，目前国内的敬老院大多是由农村里面的五保户发展而来的，所以敬老院的收养的对象为有五保证明的老年人，有的敬老院还会接受那些有退休金，自己自费养老的老人，这类敬老院通常都秉承着自愿入院，出院自由的宗旨。
The nursing home is an independent social welfare organization specializing in elderly care services. At present, most of the nursing homes in China are developed from the five guarantees households in rural areas. Therefore, the adoption objects of the nursing home are the elderly with the Five Guarantees certificate. Some nursing homes also accept the elderly who have pensions and support themselves at their own expense. These nursing homes usually adhere to the principle of voluntary admission, The purpose of discharge freedom.