To promote the development of the elderly care service industry, Fujian Ningde went to Guangxi to inspect and -learn from experience-

During a recent visit from October 14 to 19, Liu Dengjian, the Vice Chairman of the Ningde Municipal Political Consultative Conference, led an inspection team to various cities in Guangxi for a specialized study.

Liu expressed that this study tour aimed to learn from the advanced practices of other provinces, helping committee members broaden their perspectives and ideas. The goal is to promote the development of the elder care industry and community cultural services in Ningde.

The inspection team visited the Nanning International Logistics Park, where they witnessed the city’s efforts to establish a comprehensive four-tier elder care service system that includes facilities at the city, county, township, and community levels. In areas across the central urban zone, Nanning has set up a city-level demonstration elder care institution, introduced senior dining facilities, and improved bathing services. This initiative focuses on diversifying elder care services, enhancing the quality of life for the elderly.

Since 2022, capitalizing on Nanning’s inclusion in the National Basic Elderly Care Service Enhancement Project, the city has aimed to address significant challenges. Nanning has refined its organizational, institutional, financial, infrastructural, service, and talent resources, executing these services efficiently and effectively. The city is working on creating a “15-minute” community elder care service circle by coordinating home and community services.

Members of the Ningde Municipal Political Consultative Conference highlighted the importance of government leadership, market operations, and social participation as crucial pathways to resource mobilization and implementation.

Nanning officials noted that under government guidance, community elder care services are expanded through supportive policies – encouraging social engagement while developing a more robust elder care market. This strategy aims to make the elder care sector a new growth area amid an aging society.

Hai District, known as the historical center of Beihai City, faces challenges associated with moderate aging. The local government is actively enhancing a multi-level elder care service system to effectively tackle the issues faced by senior citizens. Since December 2019, the district introduced third-party service providers to deliver at-home elder care services. They’ve also constructed family care beds for 500 economically disadvantaged elderly households, equipped with age-friendly smart devices to ensure safer and more convenient living conditions. Statistics indicate that Hai District invested 10.57 million yuan, serving 110,000 elderly individuals.

Medical services, being a critical need for the elderly, have also been addressed. The district has established a “three-heart” mechanism: offering quality “enthusiastic services,” convenient “caring services,” and precise “thoughtful services.” Through the “Quality Services Community Initiative,” all local medical institutions have adopted preferential policies for elderly medical services, appointing 74 community-based family doctors to ensure high-quality healthcare access for seniors right at their doorstep.

The investigation team also extended their learning journey to Chongzuo, Fangchenggang, and Qinzhou in Guangxi. Members of the Ningde Municipal Political Consultative Conference remarked on the valuable experiences observed during the trip, expressing intentions to incorporate these practices into Ningde’s elder care services to ensure sustainable and healthy growth in this sector.

In recent years, Ningde has focused on improving the quality of elder care, allowing seniors to reap the benefits of reform and enjoy a happy retirement. Policy frameworks have been strengthened, with documents like the “Ningde City Implementation Plan for Promoting Basic Elder Care Service System Construction” being introduced. For nine consecutive years, elder care projects have been a priority for the municipal government, leading to the full operation of nine county-level social welfare centers and the establishment or expansion of 60 home-based care service centers and 40 regional elderly care centers.

Moreover, the quality of elder care services is consistently improving, with five facilities achieving five-star status, five earning four stars, and 91 rated three stars or below. Innovative mechanisms are emerging, such as the nationwide pioneering of mutual care dining facilities, which have been set up at 688 locations, serving over 17,000 seniors daily and effectively addressing meal accessibility issues for elderly individuals in rural areas.

Liu emphasized that ensuring the elderly can live comfortably, supported by their families and communities, is not only a family concern but also a significant public welfare issue. He intends to leverage the specialized consultative role of the political advisory body to contribute valuable suggestions and practical measures for the continued healthy development of Ningde’s elder care services.

The delegation included Ma Xihua, Director of the Social and Legal Committee of the Ningde Municipal Political Consultative Conference, Ye Song, Secretary of the Municipal Civil Affairs Bureau, Qiu Shuetian, Chairman of the Municipal Association for Social Sciences, Zhong Weizhong, Vice Chairman of the Political Consultative Conference in Jiao District, and several other committee members.