Objective To explore factors influencing the implementation of self-supporting in pension institutions, and provide a basis for formulating targeted management strategies. Methods Descriptive qualitative study design was used in this study and the Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services integrated framework （iPARIHS） guided the research.A total of 13 staff member and six elder adults from pension institutions were selected for semi-structured in-depth interviews using purposive sampling method.Both inductive and deductive methods were performed for data analysis. Results Three themes and eight sub-themes were emerged, including innovation （strengths, risks）, organizational context （the concept of care, caregiver′s ratios, facility equipment and supplies, leader′s support）, and recipients （caregiver′s ability to implement, the elderly and their families′ acceptance willingness）. Conclusion The implementation of self-supporting in pension institutions is affected by many factors, and it is helpful to promote the implementation of self-supporting in pension institutions through enhancing the willingness of institutions to implement self-supporting, improving the organizational context of institutions, elevating the implementation ability of caregivers, and enhancing the acceptance willingness of the elderly and their families.