Beijing Enhances Services for Elderly Residents Over 80 and Those Under 80 with Disabilities or Dementia
In a recent initiative, various departments in Beijing, including the Municipal Civil Affairs Bureau, have collaboratively released a set of measures aimed at improving services and support for elderly residents, specifically targeting those aged 80 and above and individuals under 80 with disabilities or dementia. This comprehensive effort includes 20 specific actions across six key areas: guaranteeing essential services for the elderly, optimizing service facility layouts, expanding inclusive service availability, enhancing medical service provisions, promoting the professionalization and standardization of services, and reinforcing organizational support for service reforms.
Guo Hanchao, a member of the Beijing Municipal Civil Affairs Bureau’s leadership team and Deputy Director, elaborated on the term “old elderly,” which refers to those aged 80 and older, encompassing both those who are disabled or demented and those who are self-sufficient. To ensure that elderly care services particularly focus on those with disabilities or dementia, the same policies are being applied to individuals under 80 with similar conditions. Currently, Beijing is home to approximately 698,000 “old elderly” individuals, with around 157,000 under 80 experiencing disabilities or dementia, making the total number of individuals covered by this policy around 855,000.
To strengthen the investigation into the needs of the elderly and establish a safety net, the policy will optimize the subsidy and allowance system targeting this demographic, directing resources to the most vulnerable subgroups among the elderly. Additionally, there will be a reinforced focus on the home care service needs of severely disabled and demented elderly individuals. This includes expanding the availability of at-home elderly care beds and ensuring that publicly funded institutions provide a safety guarantee, allowing economically disadvantaged elderly individuals the opportunity to benefit from necessary care services.
In terms of optimizing the layout of elderly service facilities, the initiative will involve a targeted approach in establishing Elderly Service Centers, specifically concentrating on areas where services are lacking. This could include options such as relocating, purchasing, or renting additional facilities. The goal is to create a comprehensive network of community-based elder care services that includes these centers as well as auxiliary institutions and professional service providers working in sync with local health services. In rural areas, the framework will be enhanced with a “township elderly service center + station + neighbor assistance point” model.
To improve medical service provisions for the elderly, there will be a refined integration between healthcare and elder care, establishing connection mechanisms between community health service agencies, palliative care institutions, and elderly care facilities. This will support cooperative agreements aimed at providing contract services, and create streamlined emergency response pathways for the elderly within the local health system.
Furthermore, the city plans to implement a monitoring and early warning system to track the living conditions of particularly vulnerable elderly individuals, such as those living alone or in hardship. This includes exploring smart technology applications for elder care, such as one-click emergency calls and the introduction of smart monitoring devices for water and gas usage to ensure the safety of elderly residents.
As this initiative progresses, it aims to significantly enhance the quality of life for Beijing’s elderly population, ensuring that they receive the comprehensive support and care they need.
