Chongchuan boosts elderly care services
In recent years, Chongchuan district in Nantong has made great efforts to improve its elderly care services to local communities, officials said on Sept 2.
Standard elderly care stations have been built in every community, providing a wide range of services -- including meals, daytime caring, health management and entertainment.
Officials said that the local government has placed a lot of emphasis on providing meals for the elderly this year.
All communities have been equipped with central kitchens, offering healthy and delicious meals to senior residents.
"The central kitchen is a great idea for elderly people like me, who cannot cook," said a 97-year-old local.
She calls the community service center to order her lunch for the next day and helpers deliver the food to her before 11:30 am.
The menu varies every day and is posted on the community's official WeChat account in advance.
According to local officials, there are more than 130,000 residents aged above 60 in Chongchuan. All of them can apply for the meal services at local community service centers. They can either have their meals at the centers or have it delivered to their door.
In addition, more than 4,000 seniors who meet the government's standard of being vulnerable or in difficulty, including those without children or aged above 90, can enjoy the meal at no charge.
Officials said the district government had spent 12 million yuan ($1.68 million) in improving elderly care services, which are expected to cover every aspect of a senior citizen's life.