Shanxi widens coverage of social welfare

Improving the livelihoods of people has been a major priority for the government in North China's Shanxi province in recent years, local officials said.

According to Ju Limei, deputy chief of the Shanxi Department of Civil Affairs, improving people's livelihoods through establishing a broad social security system is a crucial part in building an overall well-off society.

By enhancing people's sense of gain, happiness and security, Ju said the governments at various levels in Shanxi have increased their budget for subsidizing low-income families and improving services for elder care.

Since 2009, the provincial government has increased its subsistence allowance for low-income families for 13 consecutive years, with more than 1.57 million people benefiting from the system. The allowances for urban and rural residents reached 615 yuan ($95) and 472 yuan per month this year respectively.

According to Ju, since the beginning of last year, the provincial government has implemented a temporary subsidy system to deal with the fluctuation of commodity prices caused by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, with a total budget of 486 million yuan. About 12.4 million people have benefited from the subsidy.

Shanxi has seen steady growth in its aging population in recent years, and so how to help elderly people live high-quality and decent lives has become key concern among governments.

An elder care service industry, which has been invested in by the government and various social and commercial entities, has emerged in the province, according to Ju.

Wang Baochen, a retired official in the village of Zhongliang in Xiangfen county, enjoys spending time in relaxation centers for seniors. He said that there is one in almost every community in the county.

"These centers, offering meals, relaxing activities like painting and calligraphy, as well as a range of helpful services, are among the most frequently visited venues by elderly people,"Wang said.

There are similar facilities for seniors in the community of Xiyu in Wanbailin district in Taiyuan.

After finishing his exercise each morning in the park, Wei Yinsheng, 67, usually goes to the community canteen for breakfast.

"The meal costs a diner about 3 yuan and the food is delicious and healthy," Wei said. "It is much cheaper than eating at restaurants or even cheaper than a breakfast you cook at home."

The canteen, established for seniors, also offers lunch and dinner.

Du Zhenguo, 76, eats three meals a day at the canteen.

"I'm now living with my wife in Xiyu," Du said. "We seldom prepare our meals at home as the amount of food we need is so small that we don't want to bother to cook."

According to a staff member in the canteen, it is a not-for-profit entity invested in by the local government and operated by the community.

Despite its cheap costs, diners say the food and service it offers are always satisfactory.

Wang Sujie, a diner at the canteen, said they are always treated as family members by the employees there.

"They are fully aware of the health conditions and special requirements of every diner,"Wang Sujie said.

Wang Sujie has diabetes and needs to take medicine right before his meals.

"Every time I come here, the service workers will bring me a cup of water and remind me to take my medicine," Wang Sujie said.

According to an official in Xiyu, the community has more than 1,600 people aged over 60, accounting for more than 20 percent of its total population.

"The canteen is among the government's recent efforts to address the needs arising from an aging society," the official said.

Song Haibin, another deputy chief of the Shanxi Civil Affairs Department, said Shanxi encourages the involvement of various social and commercial entities in the elder care industry.

"We are building Shanxi's unique elder care industry driven and led by the government and supported by businesses," Song said.

Song said Shanxi plans to foster 10 famous elder care brands and 200 model community elder care organizations in the next few years.

Shanxi is currently home to 1,001 elder care organizations and 7,945 elder care facilities in its urban and rural areas, according to the department.