Senior care highlighted at Hangzhou's annual two sessions

As Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang province, faces a rapid growth in its aging population, the issue of senior care was among the hot topics discussed during the just-concluded two annual sessions.

By the end of 2017, there were 1.67 million residents aged over 60 in Hangzhou, a year-on-year increase of 5.06 percent and accounting for 22.16 percent of the total population.

As a response, Hangzhou has pledged to give top priority to home-based care, further improve the community services and infrastructure for the elderly, while expanding its nursing institutions for the aged, according to a government report.

Community nursing

He Xiaoqin, a deputy of Hangzhou's Municipal People's Congress, suggested that the government should play an active role in establishing day care centers for the elderly in local communities so as to ease the pressure from carers from time to time. Apart from day care services, he suggested that the centers can also be multifunctional to provide medical services by cooperating with professional nursing institutions.

Home-based care

Though home care is the first choice for most of the senior residents, facilities in their apartments often fall short of necessary standards, which will not only bring inconvenience to their lives, but also make them exposed to potential security issues.

Statistics revealed that fall-related fatalities are a major cause of death among the elderly over 65, accounting for 29.85 percent. The bathroom is the main culprit. Therefore, it is of great importance to carry out residential renovations for the elderly.

Special grants are also being encouraged for elders from poor families or those who live alone and are willing to make the renovations, so as to provide comfortable and safe living conditions for them, said a deputy from the Shangcheng district of Hangzhou.

Bridging the digital gap for the aged

Digital devices have become an indispensable part of people's lives in the modern era, yet the elderly often find it hard to use new technology.

"My father is 72 years old and he lives alone. For most of the time, we communicate via WeChat but it's hard for him to learn," said Song Xiaoqiang, one of the deputies, adding that not only social media, but other digital tools including self-service machines and car-hailing apps also make senior residents feel isolated and reluctant to go outside.

In such circumstances, he pointed out that senior training classes on smart phones and volunteers at self-service terminals in hospitals, airports, and train stations could be a solution. Other than that, the government could take the initiative to establish a service center for elders to provide various internet-related services.

5G technology to facilitate intelligent management of old communities

Wang Qi, a CPPCC member of Hangzhou Committee proposes that the combination of 5G technology and Hangzhou's City Brain system, an intelligent system for urban management, could promote the intelligent management of old communities and make it easier for elders to use new technology.

"Many seniors I know in Hangzhou have medical alert devices at home which allow them to communicate with healthcare providers, family members and emergency medical personnel if a threatening emergency situation arises," Wang said.

However, it is still a worrying scenario for elders to call for help if an emergency situation strikes. Wang suggested that if 5G technology is applied to community management, the body temperature, the scope of activities (whether they are in the home or going out, how much movement they are making) of elders can be delivered to the community and even social workers immediately, which will not only improve the management of old communities, but also ease the growing population in nursing institutions.