Things are looking up for the elderly

SOME residents at Jinming Fudi Housing Estate had something special to celebrate this Chinese New Year. Just four days before the holiday, residents in the No. 21 building had their first opportunity to use a recently installed elevator.

It was also the first elevator in Minhang installed under a Shanghai program to facilitate easier access in old residential buildings.

“It’s a day that we’ve been anticipating for such a long time,” said Tang Guorong, director of the Jinming Fudi Housing Estate Owners’ Committee.

The estate was built in 2002 with no elevator. That meant more than 15 percent of residents 60 years or older had to navigate stairs to get in and out of their building. For some that meant few if any trips outside.

When residents were first apprised of Shanghai efforts to encourage the installation of elevators in old blocks, they were thrilled. Tang immediately organized a team to vet the program rules and learn what steps had to be taken.

Construction of one such elevator costs at least 600,000 yuan (US$90,000). The government provides a 240,000-yuan subsidy, but the cost is still a heavy burden for retirees.

Households on the highest floors paid the most toward installation costs, while residents on the first and second floors, whose need for an elevator was less, were each paid 5,000 yuan to help defray costs apportioned to them.

“Most of the residents are retirees on limited pensions,” said Tang. “It was a big deal for them to have to spend such a large amount of money.”

Worthy efforts

The residents considered the cost worth the benefit, and they have no regrets as they ride the elevator every day.

The elevator can hold 11 people. Digital cards allow access to each floor.

“Mitsubishi promises twoyear free maintenance,” said Tang. “Residents need only pay for electricity fees. We are selling advertising space in the elevator to further ease the financial burden.”

The Shanghai program comes amid awareness of the difficulties faced by the elderly and disabled in multi-story buildings with no elevators. Since 2011, the government has been gradually slashing red tape for the approval of such projects.

A major impediment is the stipulation that an elevator installation must be approved by two-thirds of residents in the entire residential complex and 90 percent of all households in the building where the elevator is to be installed. One resident can veto the entire project.

Elevator installation in another building in the estate is underway. Tang said the success of the first installation should provide hope for other elderly and disabled persons in the district.