Senior-care centers back to life as restrictions ease
Print Edition
Wang Zhihua, 83, was among the first visitors to the Bund Subdistrict Comprehensive Senior Service Center in Huangpu District when it reopened last month. She was happy to meet up with old friends after several months’ absence due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Shanghai’s civil affairs authorities have further relaxed restrictions governing visits to senior homes and other relevant measures after the city lowered its emergency response to the pandemic over the weekend.
Community-based senior service facilities should open as soon as possible, the Shanghai Civil Affairs Bureau has ordered.
Comprehensive senior service centers, day-care centers and community activity centers for the elderly should open, but operators should control visitor numbers and avoid activities that involve gatherings and close contact such as lectures, dancing, playing cards and mahjong, it said.
Covering 805 square meters, the center in Huangpu provides nursing, rehabilitation, meal and bathing services and psychological counseling for the elderly.
The center closed after the Spring Festival holiday due to the outbreak and reopened on April 9.
“I came here immediately after it reopened because I missed my old friends here,” said Wang yesterday. Except for during the pandemic period, she’s been visiting the center daily from Monday to Friday since over a year ago.
“I was excited because staying at home is boring,” she said.
Most seniors visiting the center live alone at home.
“We do exercise in the morning, chat and the meal is ready at noon. In the afternoon, we have a nap, enjoy snacks and play games together, which makes me happy,” said Wang.
About 41 percent of residents in the Bund subdistrict are seniors and the center reaches about 8,000 seniors per year, with meal delivery services included.
These days, the center receives between six and eight seniors every day, with maximum capacity set at 11, said Gao Wenjun, director of the senior service department of the Bund subdistrict.
“We have increased the frequency of disinfection to three times daily, up from two times, and twice-daily temperature checks are mandatory here for visiting seniors to double check their health,” said Wu Fangfang, a nursing worker at the center.
“We have restarted bathing and meal services, while group activities are still banned for safety concerns,” said Gao.
“Reservation is required for all seniors and strangers are not allowed into the center.
“We require visitors to present their health QR code, make registration and report whether they have left Shanghai recently, and there is a tracking system once problems emerge.”
Li Zunshu, 95, is the oldest at the center. “I am happy here and I and my peers have a lot of common interests,” she said.
Relatives of residents in the city’s senior homes are allowed to visit family in designated areas after making arrangements with senior-care agencies, the city’s civil affairs bureau announced on Friday.
Visitors should keep a safe distance and follow designated routes to prevent gatherings and unnecessary contact.
The Hengyu Caojiadu Senior Home in Jing’an District integrates medical treatment with cooperation from hospitals such as the Huashan Hospital and Jing’an Central Hospital.
Its 499 beds are fully occupied.
It has several rehabilitation areas for treatment with traditional Chinese and Western medicine.
“We banned all entry of relatives due to COVID-19 for some time but the restrictions have been totally lifted,” said Wu Yun, executive director of the senior home.
“We receive visiting relatives every day now and they are allowed into public areas for visits, though a reservation is needed.”
Hou Ping, the daughter of 89-year-old Yang Yu, a resident at the senior home, stopped visits to her mother for months because of COVID-19.
Since restrictions were lifted, Hou has visited her mother three times. “We are happy for a reunion,” she said.
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