Shanghai ramps up elderly care amid aging population

Shanghai is going all out to build a high-quality elderly care system and improve services to ensure its senior residents can live happily and healthily, said Jiang Rui, head of Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Civil Affairs, at a news conference on Friday.

By the end of 2023, the population aged 60 and above in Shanghai had reached 5.68 million, accounting for 37.4 percent of the city's total population.

Shanghai now has 176,000 elderly care beds, which is an ample total capacity, after considering such facilities a priority project for 27 consecutive years, she said. It has also opened 542 elderly service stations near residential communities, offering assistance like bathing and caring.

For those who opt to age at home, professional in-home services are provided by care institutions, while vacant homesteads have been converted into elderly care homes in rural areas.

Beyond expanding capacity, Shanghai aims to comprehensively improve elderly care quality and functions, said Jiang.

Specialized care for those with cognitive impairments is being promoted, including the renovation of 15,000 dedicated care beds. Furthermore, the workforce has been enhanced through vocational training, with 82 percent of care workers now certified and 20 percent holding intermediate or higher qualifications.

Technologies like robotic assistants and remote monitoring have been widely applied in nursing homes, with 77 smart nursing homes using smart care systems. And 156 facilities have adopted internet hospitals into elderly care.

Shanghai is also integrating elderly care services into communities via 502 "one-stop" comprehensive service hubs across districts and towns, according to Jiang.

Addressing the key issue of elderly dining, Jiang said Shanghai has established 405 community canteens and over 2,000 meal service points, with over 140 restaurants joining an elderly meal service network. Volunteer groups and delivery platforms have also been mobilized to provide meal delivery when needed.

"Going forward, we'll continue expanding community canteens and meal services to ensure nutritious, warm meals for our elderly residents," Jiang said.