The virtual nursing home in Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu province, offers a variety of services available over the phone. Elderly residents only need to dial one number on the telephone to talk to their children. If they pick up the phone and do not dial within eight seconds, emergency services will automatically be contacted. They can also order a haircut at home or cleaning and pipe dredge services through the phone.

There are 180,300 people above the age of 60 in the city, accounting for 20.03 percent of the total population. The aging population increases the demand for nursing homes.

The Zhangjiagang city bureau of civil affairs and Zhangjiagang service center for people’s convenience founded the virtual nursing home at the end of last year.

An official from the service center said that one of the advantages is the combination of family nursing and nursing homes. Such methods allow the elderly to receive service while also satisfying their daily needs.

Furthermore, the virtual nursing home needs less money to build and operate, greatly improving the quality of life for the elderly.

At present, 510 people have registered at the virtual nursing home, 220 of whom are funded by the government. The home has served people over 3,700 times, and customer satisfaction remains at 100 percent.