On Aug. 23rd, the Yantian District Mutual Elderly Care Volunteer Service Achievement Exhibition and the Upgrading Ceremony of the Elderly Assistance Project were held at the Intelligent Enjoyment and Elderly Care Service Center.

The upgraded version of the Elderly Assistance Project has a simpler user interface, more comprehensive service functions and provides a more user-friendly experience. Through the empowerment of technology, it aims to fully assist the elderly in Yantian with worry-free travel and effectively bridge the “last 100 meters” of elderly assistance transportation.

The Yantian District Elderly Assistance Project, initiated by the Yantian District Civil Affairs Bureau, mainly relies on technologies such as the Internet of Things and cloud services. It has set up 10 wheelchair stations in old residential areas and crowded places, and provides 88 intelligent shared wheelchairs. It also coordinates with two shared stair-climbing machines for barrier-free shuttle service. It offers free assistance to residents aged 60 and above who need help with going up and down stairs and going out, facilitating convenient travel for the elderly. Those in need can make appointments through the project’s mini-program or by phone. Thus far, the project has served over 3,000 people, with a total service duration of over 30,000 hours, effectively addressing the difficulties faced by disabled elderly people in going up and down stairs.

“The event aims to further expand the coverage and influence of the Elderly Assistance Project, and promote the healthy and rapid development of the aging industry in Yantian District.” Gao Dongchun, a local senior fully affirmed the practical experience and practices of Yantian Civil Affairs in “using new technologies to help break through elderly care bottlenecks.”

He pointed out that they should focus on the needs of the people, highlight the results-oriented approach, and use mutual elderly care volunteer services and elderly assistance services as the starting point. They should adopt various forms and provide high-quality services to meet the elderly’s diverse retirement needs. “By utilizing high technology, they should achieve the intelligence and specialization of the entire chain of elderly care services, effectively promote the deepening and solidification of people’s livelihood services, provide new services, and make it more convenient and efficient for the elderly to access nearby elderly care services, so that they can have a greater sense of satisfaction and happiness,” said Gao.

During the event, a group of “most beautiful volunteers” and “excellent volunteers” who actively participated in mutual elderly care volunteer service projects were commended. Yantian District has promoted the pilot work of volunteer mutual elderly care services. Following the operational concept of “young age contributing time, old age receiving services,” they have explored and established a volunteer mutual elderly care service mechanism with Yantian characteristics. They advocate and encourage energetic elderly residents and volunteers in the jurisdiction area to provide special services such as emergency assistance, medical assistance, transportation assistance, care assistance, recreational assistance, and meal assistance to elderly people in special difficulties. They aim to achieve “neighborhood watches and mutual assistance, caring and shared retirement.” According to statistics, since the launch of the project, it has attracted 1,197 members, 565 energetic elderly volunteers, and 261 young volunteers, with a total service duration of nearly 30,000 hours.