The provincial department of civil affairs of Jiangsu has unveiled its plan to pilot intelligent home-based elder care services at 11 counties or districts to ensure that the elders can gain access to modernized care services. The announcement was made at a provincial working conference and the first intelligent home-based elder care services forum.
There are currently over 10 million people aged 65 and over in Jiangsu, accounting for 15% of the entire population.
The demand for elder care services has therefore surged, prompting the government to promote community-embedded home-based elder care services.
Home-based elder care service centers have been popularized at the urban areas while the coverage for the rural areas has reached 80%.
The provincial department of civil affairs has therefore released a plan for the pilot operation of the home-based elder care services in 11 counties or districts. It will also provide policy support for elder care services for disabled elders and elder care in places other than their hometowns.
In the meantime, the government has stepped up its efforts to entrust elder care facilities to the private sector.
Some private elder care facilities have gone digital through the Internet plus initiative.
An information technology system company in in Xuanwu district of Nanjing has launched an elder care management platform that is able to check the online monitoring system of the elder care facilities by clicking on any icon on the map.
The custom-made mobile phone for elders is equipped with GPS to ensure that they will not get lost when going out.
The elders in Xuanwu district are given a smart elder care card which will record their health conditions by scanning the card.
The elders can also buy their services on the platform. By placing their order for domestic service, massage and shower, the domestic helpers will visit them pretty soon.
The intelligent home-based elder care system will be promoted across Nanjing next year.
