The next best thing to home: Village op
The idea of having an agedcare home in the Yonglian Village first popped up last March, but Tang Zheng, vice director of Meilong Town, said he never expected the goal to be realized just before the Chinese New Year.
The nursing home was created by renovating a residential house on Wujie Lane.
Elderly residents in the farming community who need 24-hour nursing care, including meals, pay 2,800 yuan (US$415) a month to stay there. The benefit is that they don’t need to move away from the land and friends they’ve known for a lifetime.
“The village first underwent rehabilitation under the Beautiful Countryside program to get rid of illegal structures and a dirty environment,” said village Party Secretary Wu Yongming. “Then, with further thought, we raised the issue of providing better care for our older residents.”
The elderly in the village number 663, and many are frail and need help.
Now they can stay in Yonglian Village, but in a better environment that caters to their needs. Facilities have been upgraded and more entertainment provided.
The nursing home arose from villagers’ needs. That focus is not new. When villagers said they wanted a local tearoom, one was provided.
“These elderly residents watched me grow up,” said Wu. “My mother is 93 years old. She prefers to spend more time with her five children, otherwise I would have wanted her to live in this facility.”
Huang Fubao, 72, is the youngest resident in the aged-care home and was the first to move in. Her daughter visited the site several times when it was under construction, and was pleased by what she saw.
“I heard her mention this place many times and I got curious,” said Huang. “The location and the service are impeccable. It’s really nice to live here.”
Huang applied to live in the home before construction was completed. Eight elderly residents moved in during the one-month trial operation. The site has become the hottest topic in the village.
Home in the town center
Han Shuzhen, 95, said she has lived in other nursing homes but moved back to Yonglian Village once she heard about the Wujie Lane project.
“It’s close to home,” she explained. “I have special relationships with the people and the land.”
Those who farm the land have a different concept than inner city dwellers about how they want to live out their lives. Villagers prefer a familiar social life and don’t want to cut lifelong ties to live in urban homes for the aged.
Children who allow their elderly relatives to be sent to nursing homes are chastised by the local community for their lack of filial responsibility. The stigma is so strong that even when elderly people want to go into a nursing home, their children often refuse to permit it.
The government of Meilong Town is aware of that dilemma across the villages. If the Wujie Lane Elderly Home proves successful, the model may be duplicated in other villages.
“The village created a new property management company after the Beautiful Countryside renovation,” said Wu. “We wanted to find new ways to manage the village.”
The new Yongmin Property Management Co refurbished old houses and found tenants if elderly residents wanted to rent them out. In that way, the residents were spared the trouble, and the village is now managed in a more orderly, safe manner.
A model worth promoting
Yongmin has managed 16 houses so far. It has also set up a supermarket, laundromat, improved water supply and breakfast shops.
The daily routine in the Wujie Lane Elderly Home starts with finger exercises, then breakfast, and then more exercise in the backyard. Residents in the elderly home normally sit outside during the day to chat and drink tea.
The aged-care home is located at the heart of village and is equipped with an elevator. A countryside park is just 200-meter walk away. Friends and relatives drop by during the day to visit residents.
“I believe this model is worth promoting,” said Wu. “If it is successful, we will consider adding more beds and possibly other branches.”
“This is a reflection of Meilong Town’s commitment to elderly care,” said Ma Fei, a government staffer. “Though the home is small, it’s cozy and warm. We are considering replicating the model in Xujing Village next.”
Apart from promoting aged-care homes in villages, the town government is also investing in recreational facilities for the elderly, where villagers can put on plays, hold dances and even enjoy traditional Chinese medicine services.
Meilong Town government staff pay periodic visits to seniors 80 years and older and sent Spring Festival gifts to 23 centenarians in the town.
“When the aged-care home is formally opened after the Chinese New Year, we’ll hold sessions to encourage charity organizations and volunteers to participate in nursing home activities,” said Wu. “Even chats with residents brighten their lives.”
Local schools will be tapped to provide volunteers.
Wujie Lane Elderly Home’s schedule is packed with activities, with special themed events each month: a Spring Festival party, tree-planting, picnics and floral shows.
Wu said dumpling-making with family members will be held from time to time so that residents don’t lose the sense of home and family.
“We can use the canteen in the home to provide delivery service for elderly still living in the village,” said Wu. “We also hope to create a community health center in the home that will be open to all villagers.”