As a complement to large-scale senior care facilities like comprehensive service centers, neighborhood-based care stations are playing a vital role in the community network.
Jiading District has been steadily improving its community-based eldercare system this year, with the addition of these neighborhood stations listed as a key livelihood project. The service network is becoming increasingly dense and accessible.
On August 26th, a traditional Chinese painting class kicked off at the newly opened Jiaming Community Senior Care Station on Juyuan Street. Around a long table, seniors spread out rice paper and, under the teacher's guidance, practiced brush strokes and color mixing, painting their own "ink and wash moments."
"I miss this place if I don't come for a day. The classes here are exactly what we love, and when we're tired, we can rest on the sofas in the daycare area or read a book. It's very comfortable," said a local resident surnamed Li. Visiting the station daily has become her new routine.
In fact, the painting class wasn't a pre-arranged fixed program. It was added based on the actual needs of the seniors. Serving the Wuxiang South Road Lane 230 and Lane 259 residential areas, the station supports 757 residents over 60, including 31 over 80.
How does the station accurately capture the real needs of its elderly residents? It found its own solution. Through the community's "micro-grid" governance system, the station collaborates with grid leaders, micro-grid workers, population coordinators, and volunteer teams to integrate eldercare services into routine patrols and surveys. Special attention is given to vulnerable groups such as those living alone, the very old, and families with only elderly members, enabling early identification of needs.
"Based on everyone's actual needs, we fully activate existing community cultural team resources and regularly organize activities like Tai Chi, choir, and calligraphy, making our services more targeted," said Fan Shun, a station staff member.
Just a few steps away from the painting class, in the government services area, a senior named Zhu was inquiring about social security procedures. He said that previously, handling such matters required a 15-minute trip to the community affairs reception center on Pingcheng Road. Now, it's just a 2-minute walk, which is very convenient.
The station covers approximately 540 square meters and focuses on four key needs: daily care, health security, cultural social interaction, and spiritual support. It features micro-daycare, a reading corner, a multi-functional exercise room, a ping-pong room, and a health corner, offering services like meal assistance applications, health education, and policy consultations.
"We also collaborate with district and street medical resources to regularly provide health consultations and lectures for elderly residents," Fan added. For special elderly groups, the station will also offer early screening and intervention services for cognitive impairment.
This year, the district plans to add seven neighborhood-based senior care stations, with three already in operation. Besides Jiaming Community, stations in Huixiang Community and Yongxiang Community have also begun serving residents. As the "terminal units" closest to the elderly in the care system, Jiading will continue to explore differentiated service models, revitalizing spaces, combining functions, and innovating service methods to bridge the final gap in eldercare delivery.