Govt looks to harness older people's potential

'Time bank'

A number of regions have also started promoting the "time bank" concept, a mutual assistance model that provides a platform for seniors to undertake valuable work and help ease the burden on caregivers.

Through time banks, seniors can earn credits by caring for people older than themselves. In turn, they can redeem the credits when they need care.

Yuan, the political adviser, said the time bank system should be further improved to raise awareness among the elderly. In Shanghai, where over 23 percent of residents are age 60 or older, more than 75 seniors age 60 to 70 have opened accounts at a time bank in Changning district.

Gu Huayun, 67, has volunteered as a meal assistant at a community center near her home. She helps seniors who don't know how to work the self-service kiosk to order meals, and she also delivers meals to people who have difficulties in picking the food up themselves.

For every hour she spends on volunteer work at the center, Gu gains one "credit" in her account, she said in an interview with ThePaper.cn, an online news platform.

"I am relatively young and have nothing else to do at home," she said.

"I had better seize the moment while I am still healthy and mobile enough to make a contribution and help others. In return, I will also be able to access elderly care services in the future."

Li Jiuheng, a 67-year-old Beijing resident, said that during his many volunteer visits to the homes of other seniors, he has found that loneliness is the biggest concern for many older people.

"In this respect, an older person like me is more capable of talking with seniors than young volunteers because we often share similar experiences and have interests in common," he said.