Beijing builds regional senior care network

Beijing is currently building a network of regional senior care centers. Today, there are 208 senior care centers throughout the capital city, as well as 259 community senior service dispatch stations. By the end of 2017, each of Beijing’s districts will complete construction on its senior care guidance center, which will direct operations in the senior care network.

Wang Xiao’e, deputy director of the Office of Beijing Municipal Working Committee on Aging, said in a speech at the 6th China International Senior Service Expo that Beijing has set a budget of 1.28 billion yuan (US$190.55 million) for senior care in 2017, a year-on-year increase of 17.7 percent. The city also plans to invest 400 million yuan to establish a senior care fund with 1.6 billion yuan in initial equity in order to build its senior care network.

Each district’s senior care guidance center will serve as the command hub for its local network, overseeing senior care centers that will provide long-term clinical care, and dispatch stations that will deliver services straight to the homes of senior citizens. Of the 350 senior care dispatch stations constructed in Beijing in the last two years, 259 are currently operating. The city plans to increase the number to 1,000 by 2020.

A part of the infrastructure for the regional senior care network is provided by the city as donation, and its operation is entrusted to private service providers. In addition, Beijing is mulling over new policies to support the growth of the senior service industry. Officials said they have learned through surveys that there are 4,104 locations throughout the city that could be turned into senior care centers. Meanwhile, the city will also reclaim vacant factory buildings and schools and transform them into senior care facilities.