Shanghai Center for the Elderly Continues to Develop

Elderly residents take part in an art class at the day-care center in a citizen service station in Jiaxing sub-district, Shanghai's Hongkou district, on Aug 30. [Photo by Zhu Xingxin/chinadaily.com.cn]

Over the last two-and-a-half years, a citizen service station in Shanghai's Hongkou district has developed to bring dining, entertainment, and community services together in one place that benefits residents in the community.

The station now serves around 2,600 residents, mainly the elderly, per day.

"We expect to provide diverse services for residents, benefit their lives, and improve life quality," said Di Liang, Party secretary of the Working Committee of the CPC at Jiaxing sub-district.

Residents attend health lectures at the citizen service station in Jiaxing sub-district, Shanghai's Hongkou district, on Aug 30. [Photo by Zhu Xingxin/chinadaily.com.cn]

On the first floor of the station, residents can consult business on policies, daily needs and 186 other kinds of services associated with residents' living.

The second floor is designed for the elderly and various classes, including music, dancing, and drawing, are offered for free.

A special day care service center is available for the elderly aged over 80 , which charges 30 yuan per person per day. Staff members at the center measure the elderly's temperatures and blood pressures every day and recorded data on all.

Xia Juanjuan, an 83-year-old retired teacher, plays the piano at the citizen service station in Jiaxing sub-district, Shanghai's Hongkou district, on Aug 30. [Photo by Zhu Xingxin/chinadaily.com.cn]

Professional rehabilitation therapists are also employed to provide rehabilitation guidance.

"I have a lot of fun here, meeting friends and taking classes, rather than staying at home alone," said Zhou Quanzhen, 88.

"The station has truly enriched our lives."

Shen Mingming, 62,,said he is glad to not have to decide where to get healthy food since June, 2017, when the public canteen run by the station opened.

"I have breakfast and lunch here. It is just a few minutes' walk from home, and there is no need to worry about food safety, as the canteen is supervised by the government, and the various foods also guarantee a balanced, healthy diet for the elderly," said Shen.

Fu Keming, conductor and violinist at an orchestra named San Ye Cao, performs at the citizen service station in Jiaxing sub-district, Shanghai's Hongkou district, on Aug 30. [Photo by Zhu Xingxin/chinadaily.com.cn]

Officials said the canteen is undergoing renovations in order to meet the dining demands of more residents, and plans to launch an online service in the future, in partnership with a State-owned catering agency.

Over the past four decades, the average life expectancy of Shanghai residents has risen 10 years to 83.63 last year, compared with the national average of 77 years. The number of elderly people aged 60 and over exceeded 5 million in the city, accounting for 34.4 percent of the total population, while those aged 80 years and above number 805,800.