Building a friendlier aging future

The Double Ninth Festival, also known as Chongyang Festival, falls on the ninth day of the ninth month on the traditional Chinese calendar and is a traditional occasion in China to honor and show respect for the elderly. This year, the festival falls on October 29. On Saturday, Beijing's Chaoyang District launched its "Respect for the Elderly Month"-themed event, aimed at promoting the virtues of filial piety and fostering an elderly-friendly society. The event featured a variety of programs with cutting-edge technology.

During the event, certificates were awarded to the "Filial Stars" and outstanding caregivers of Chaoyang District. Flags were also presented to six volunteer service teams under the district's "Silver Age Action" program.

One of the highlights of the event was the official launch of Beijing's first "Age-Friendly Smart Experience Center", now open to the public. Serving as Chaoyang District's model home for aging adaptation, the center brings together innovative achievements of over 20 technology companies. It integrates immersive concentrated display experiences, technology innovation releases, and industry connections with home aging adaptation and elderly care solutions. Through live interactions and offline salons, the center aims to build a smart elderly care service system.

The event also featured a song-and-dance performance that blended tradition and technology. In the song-and-dance piece "When the Moonlight", a Yushu robot performed with graceful agility, moving harmoniously with elderly dancers, making it the most innovative program of the event.

In the exhibition hall, various elderly service organizations offered demonstrations, allowing the elderly to understand and experience the new services firsthand.

Multiple digital platforms have opened new windows for lifelong learning for the elderly. Several cultural technology companies introduced smart apps designed to enrich the spiritual and cultural lives of seniors.

In the area of safety, smart devices created an "invisible safety net." At the technology exhibition zone, many companies showcased technology products providing early warning, monitoring, and emergency response services tailored for seniors. Intelligent company robots capable of emotional interaction were presented alongside home care robots, giving participants a glimpse into future-oriented elderly care solutions. Tianyu Elderly Care demonstrated advanced non-wearable devices for vital sign detection, sleep monitoring, and millimeter-wave radar sensing, offering precise safety data and alerts. An AI-powered alarm system for the elderly was piloted in Jiangtai Township, covering the safety needs of residents over 80 years old.

Currently, Chaoyang District operates 19 regional elderly care service centers, 83 elderly care institutions, 166 community-based elderly service stations, 271 elderly dining tables (meal assistance points), and 24,000 elderly care beds, ranking first in the city in terms of service facilities, elderly care beds, and the number of residents.

In addition, the first elderly care big data platform in the city has been established in Chaoyang District, which integrates multi-source data from district civil affairs, healthcare, social security, and community services. This unified database enables precise analysis of the elderly population structure and regional service demands, providing a scientific foundation for government policy-making. The platform also serves as a model for improving urban digital governance.

The district has also developed an online and offline integrated service dispatch center, providing consultation and services for the elderly or their families through a WeChat mini-program and the 96083 hotline. The system enables rapid response within a "15-minute" elderly care service circle, ensuring timely support for seniors in need.