Elderly people who live alone and have no children in Shanghai will be given priority under a new assessment system that seeks to ensure senior citizens receive the care and support they need.
Under a draft proposal presented at the ongoing 12th session of the Shanghai Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, places at the city's nursing and care homes will be provided to each according to his or her needs.
Those requirements will be assessed by officials at community centers and civil affairs authorities, while financial support will be provided to those who need it, according to the draft, which will be evaluated by lawmakers during the annual session of the Shanghai People's Congress.
"Seniors of different ages have different needs and demands, so we must consider these and provide people with the most appropriate services," Shanghai Party secretary Han Zheng told lawmakers yesterday.
The assessment system was introduced on a trial basis in Xuhui, Yangpu and Minhang districts and the Pudong New Area last year.
Li Chengwei, an official with the Xuhui Civil Affairs Bureau, said that since its launch about 1,300 elderly residents have been assessed.
"The system helps to ensure the fair and efficient allocation of care facilities," he said.
"Anyone who meets the eligibility requirements will be found a place at a care home immediately. The only reason for a delay is if a person prefers to wait for a room at a specific facility," he said, adding that Xuhui currently has about 40 senior care homes.
There are currently about 4 million people aged 60 or over in Shanghai and that figure is forecast to grow to more than 5 million by 2020.
