Technology Empowers Elder Care in Qiantang, Creating a Happy Golden Age with Real-Time Health Data
In the scenic city of Lishui, Zhejiang Province, Qiantang County has embraced technology to enhance the quality of life for its senior citizens. A recent initiative, the Family Care Connection (家护通), is transforming the way healthcare is managed for the elderly, ensuring a happy and healthy sunset phase of life in this侨乡 (overseas Chinese community).
As reported by China News Service on August 27th, 73-year-old Grandma Ma Zhengzhu was among the first to benefit from this innovative program at the Chunman Garden Elderly Care Center in Qiantang’s Hecheng District. Staff equipped her with a smartwatch that not only monitors her vital signs but also syncs the data to a newly launched mobile app, allowing both Ma奶奶 and her family to access her health metrics in real-time.
The smartwatch, loaded with features to track various health parameters, enables seniors to take control of their wellbeing. With the Family Care Connection app, they can easily request services and have their needs attended to promptly. Grandma Ma expressed her amazement at the technology, stating, Nowadays, everything is so advanced. I can check my blood pressure anytime and even order services with just a tap on the phone. The service is fantastic.
Qiantang, a renowned侨乡 with a diaspora of 381,000华侨华人 (overseas Chinese) scattered across 146 countries and regions, faces a unique challenge of a large number of overseas华侨在外 (Chinese abroad) and seniors留守 (left behind). The area has a high proportion of elderly residents and a significant number of empty-nesters, leading to a heightened demand for diverse and tailored elderly care services.
To address these needs, Qiantang embarked on a micro-reform in elder care since April, focusing on the requirements of the elderly population. The county adopted an Internet+思维 (Internet+ mindset) to upgrade its Overseas Chinese Elder Care Manager platform, introducing the Family Care Connection application. This cutting-edge tool integrates 养老服务+监管+资源调度 (elder care + supervision + resource allocation) and unifies 医、养、康、护 (medical, care, rehabilitation, and nursing) services.
The app offers three key scenarios: 生活守护 (life protection), 安全守护 (safety protection), and 健康守护 (health protection). It connects to the Qiantang County Social Security Center’s database, providing real-time information on seniors’ entitlements, such as 养老金待遇 (pension benefits), 高龄津贴 (senior subsidies), and 养老服务补贴 (elder care allowances). By breaking down data silos, the app streamlines access to services, making it easier for the elderly to navigate the system.
Moreover, the Family Care Connection integrates with the People’s Hospital’s online consultation system, enabling remote consultations through AR (augmented reality) for seniors in remote areas. As of now, the platform has collected basic information for 18,594 elderly individuals and synchronized 3,185 self-care ability data points with the ZheLi康养 (ZheLi Elder Care) system. It also tracks 1,424 beneficiaries of elder care subsidies.
Looking ahead, Qiantang plans to further enhance the well-being of its senior citizens by instituting regular visitation systems, organizing cultural activities, and expanding services such as 幸福食堂 (happy canteens), elder care facilities, and care staff teams. These efforts will ensure comprehensive, multi-faceted support for the elderly, particularly those living alone in rural areas, thus enriching their golden years.
In conclusion, Qiantang’s embrace of technology in elder care is a testament to the potential of digital innovation in improving the quality of life for seniors. By leveraging real-time health data and integrating services, the county is not only addressing the unique challenges faced by its elderly population but also setting a precedent for other communities to follow in creating a more inclusive and tech-enabled elderly care system.
Editor: Liu Yanghe
【source】http://www.chinanews.com/life/2024/08-27/10275547.shtml
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