The Shanghai municipal government is to offer monthly allowances
of 200 yuan (US$24.66) next year to senior citizens living on low
incomes and in poor health under a new plan to improve life for its
growing elderly population.
City officials will also encourage seniors living in rest homes
in the city's downtown area to consider moving out to the suburbs,
where they will arrange for special medical care for the relocated
people starting next year.
Shanghai is one of China's most rapidly ageing cities. The
Shanghai Population and Family Planning Committee has estimated
that people aged 60 and above will account for about a third of the
city's population by 2020.
The new measures are part of a larger plan to tackle some of the
social problems Shanghai expects to face as its population ages.
The plan will take effect on January 1.
Under the plan, senior citizens will receive an allowance of 200
yuan (US$24.66). Those residents who are in particularly poor
health will also be eligible to receive an additional 200 yuan
(US$24.66), said Jiao Yang, the spokeswoman of Shanghai municipal
government.
She added that city officials would ask medical professionals
help diagnose such seniors to make sure they qualify for the
additional income.
Local government officials will also encourage senior citizens
who are staying in rest homes in the city to consider moving out to
facilities in the suburbs.
Jiao said the local government would arrange for preferential
health care for low-income senior citizens moving out to the
suburbs and increase access to medication.
The city is planning to pay to train doctors working in the
suburbs to ensure a proper level of service for the new elderly
residents.
"These senior citizens will have an equally good or even better
living environment after they move from downtown rest homes out to
suburban ones," Jiao said.
Experts from Fudan University's Institute of Population Research
heralded the plan, saying it was an effective way to solve the
problem of overpopulation in the downtown areas.
Peng Xizhe, the institute's director, said overcrowding could
lead to social problems in Shanghai's central areas and result in
improper resource allocation.
Meanwhile, Shou Lili, an expert on ageing problems, warned that
asking senior citizens leave the city centre could inconvenience
their families.
"Moving these senior citizens to suburban rest homes might make
it difficult for their children to visit them, which consequently
will make these senior citizens very lonely," she said.
Shou added that the staff members at suburban rest homes and
hospitals would need more training to provide adequate
services.
Jiao said that Shanghai was the first city in China to face a
rapidly ageing society. In 1979, 10 percent of the city's residents
were over the age of 60.
"The local government is teaming up with the families of senior
citizens and other organizations to solve the ageing problem.
Solving these problems will take everyone's effort; however, the
local government should take the lead." Jiao added.
(Xinhua News Agency November 30, 2006)