Elder-care potential in GBA?

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The National Health Commission indicates about 90 percent of the mainland elderly live at home, while 7 percent have home care with community support. Shenzhen enacted its first legislation for senior care services in March 2021, initiating a long-term sustainable elder-care system integrating home care, community care, and institutional care.

The Shenzhen government has subsidized over 2,000 households for age-friendly home facilities. Emergency calling systems have been installed, with handrails and slip-resistant mats in bathrooms, where seniors are prone to fall.

In Futian district, a community uses a computer housekeeper system to connect the call center and elderly homes. With a call or voice message, seniors can get door-to-door food deliveries, home care services, and medical consultations from community facilities.

As of September, Shenzhen has 161 community elder-care centers for day care, home care, and basic medical consultation, according to the city's civil affairs bureau. The city aims eventually to offer basic elder-care services to homes in less than 15 minutes.

Guangzhou built 1,000 community canteens across the city for the elderly and those in need. For a few yuan, they get a hot meal at a canteen near their home. Door-to-door food delivery services are also available for those who cannot access the canteens.

Zhongshan is encouraging property management companies to provide elder-care services in their communities. In the city's Gangkou town, a property management company organizes regular home visits to the elderly, and helps them set up their personal health records. This was well-received by the residents, the local government said.