Care centers improve elderly life quality

Last month, during the third session of the 14th Shanxi Provincial People's Congress, deputy Li Ailing expressed her dedication to assisting the growing elderly population.

"I am willing to dedicate the rest of my life to understanding every elderly person and to understanding our own aging selves," said Li, director and founder of Xingfuhui community elderly care service centers.

The 52-year-old's journey into the elderly care industry began in 2015 after she invested over 5 million yuan ($680,000), saved from 20 years of business ventures, to establish the first Xingfuhui community elderly care service center in Jincheng, Shanxi. It marked the beginning of a new model of community-based elderly care in the region.

However, the road was not without challenges. Despite the joy her center brought to the elderly in the city, Li faced significant operational difficulties.

"The investment was huge, the returns were slow and the responsibilities were endless," she said.

Many advised her to give up, but Li persevered, driven by her commitment to the cause.

Today, Xingfuhui has become a renowned brand in Shanxi's elderly care industry, attracting nationwide attention. Li has established 10 community elderly care centers across the province, serving over 50,000 elderly residents and providing employment for more than 600 people. "I hope our centers can make seniors feel at home. But we must not overstate our value, as our centers can never replace their families," Li said.