Shanghai's seniors to get medical companions

Shanghai will launch a medical companion service for residents aged 60 and above from the beginning of July, aiming to assist seniors throughout the process of seeking medical treatment.

The service provides trained companions who accompany elderly people from their homes to healthcare facilities, help them navigate medical procedures, facilitate communication with healthcare providers, offer psychological support and remind them to take prescribed medications.

According to the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Civil Affairs, the service is designed to assist seniors with tasks they may find difficult to manage independently during medical visits.

Shanghai has one of the highest proportions of elderly residents in China.

According to official data, the city had 5.84 million residents aged 60 and above by the end of 2025, accounting for nearly 38 percent of its registered permanent population. The number of residents aged 80 and above increased to 895,600 in 2025 from 860,000 in the previous year, highlighting China's growing aging population.

At the same time, an increasing proportion of these elderly residents are dependent on their sole child, a legacy of China's family planning policy introduced in 1980. The policy was adjusted in 2013 to allow two children if either parent is an only child. A new policy introduced in 2021 allows all couples to have a third child.

Under Shanghai's new policy, the companion service will be provided by senior care institutions and organizations specializing in medical companionship for the elderly. Each district's civil affairs bureau will publish a list of certified service providers, which is expected to expand as demand grows.

The policy also stipulates that service providers must charge reasonable prices and clearly display their service content, pricing items and charging standards. Districts are encouraged to include the companion service in elderly care subsidies for low-income seniors.

Last year, several districts in Shanghai began exploring the inclusion of the companion service in government-subsidized elderly care programs. However, the subsidies were limited to seniors aged over 80, who lived alone, had disabilities or were experiencing financial difficulties. Those aged between 60 and 79, considered relatively healthy and had children to care for them, were not eligible for government subsidies and could only access commercial, self-funded companion services.

The government document stipulates that companions must undergo standardized training, acquire basic knowledge of healthcare and elderly care, and obtain a vocational competency certificate. Applicants with education or experience in nursing, healthcare, rehabilitation, pharmacy and social work will be welcomed.

Service providers said elderly patients often struggle to use digital devices and navigate hospital procedures, and may also have difficulty communicating their medical conditions. Their services are therefore designed to provide targeted assistance.

"Some seniors cannot clearly describe their medical conditions. When doctors ask what problem they are experiencing, they may begin recounting illnesses from their childhood, which is not well-suited to the country's fast-paced medical environment," said Jin Zhongkai, a service provider.

"Therefore, I communicate with the seniors beforehand about how to describe their conditions succinctly. Another important aspect is writing down all the questions they want to ask the doctor before the visit," he said.

He added that companions keep complete records of patients' medical visits and medication lists and send them electronically to the seniors' children, whether they are in Shanghai or elsewhere.