A win-win solution as seniors care center fitted into residents’ homes
The Dongfeng Senior Nursing Home in Pujiang is no ordinary home for the elderly. Owned by Gu Lianhua, an elderly resident, the facility is her own residence which she converted to a care center for those in need.
Gu, 63, lives in the house with her husband and her mother in her 90s. Last year, she was approached by Fu Yulei, head of a seniors care center in neighboring Pudong New Area, who suggested she rent out her home and turn it into a nursing home.
Fu’s center was closed in 2018. Though most of their senior residents had moved elsewhere, some chose to stick with Fu, who was looking for ways to continue operations.
In searching for a new place, he found that in Dongfeng Village there were many villas inhabited by elderly residents, whose children had left their hometowns and bought new homes in urban areas.
Gu was among the first villagers Fu talked to. She hesitated at first when he suggested turning her home to a care center, but said yes in the end.
Gu and Fu came up with a plan. Only the first and second floors would be rented, and the third floor would be left for Gu
The conversion of spacious residential homes to quality facilities for seniors seems to benefit everyone.
Dai Hongjuan
Pujiang official on old people's affairs
and her family. This way Gu could enjoy her privacy while earning yearly income of more than 100,000 yuan (US$15,300).
Apart from Gu’s home, Fu also rented another five similar villas in the village. They have all been renovated with modern equipment, including elevators.
Seventeen seniors now live in Gu’s nursing home. Local residents receive a discount and, with the benefit of insurance, pay just 3,500 yuan monthly. Non-locals are charged 5,200 yuan.
“The environment is pretty good and people are very friendly; plus, I think my rhinitis and asthma have gotten better since I moved here,” said a senior resident surnamed Chen, who used to live in the busy area of the city.
Dai Hongjuan, an official in charge of old people’s affairs in Pujiang, is pleased with the conversion of Gu’s home to a care center.
“Local residents are unwilling to leave the place they have lived most of their lives,” she said. “The conversion of spacious residential homes to quality facilities for seniors seems to benefit everyone.”