More than 30,000 elderly care service vouchers have been issued in Changzhou, benefiting over 7,000 seniors with moderate to severe care needs and helping ease the financial burden on families while improving access to care services.

For 72-year-old Ms. Yang, a resident of Chunjiang subdistrict in Xinbei district, the program has made a tangible difference.

After suffering a stroke, she was no longer able to live independently and required round-the-clock care. Following a third-party assessment in late April, she was classified as having severe care needs.

To support her daily care, her son purchased a 1,600-yuan home-care service package from a care provider in Hutang town, Wujin district. By using an 800-yuan digital elderly care voucher, he paid only half the cost.

"The subsidy came as a welcome surprise," he said.

Since May, professional caregivers have been visiting Ms. Yang's home 10 times a month, providing services such as haircuts, nail trimming, bathing assistance and household cleaning.

Like Ms. Yang, thousands of seniors across Changzhou are benefiting from the city's elderly care voucher program. Eligible seniors assessed as having moderate, severe or complete care needs can receive digital vouchers worth up to 800 yuan per month, which can be used to offset the cost of home-based, community-based or institutional care services.

Reaching those most in need

To ensure support reaches eligible recipients, local civil affairs authorities conduct assessments based on the national standard for evaluating the functional abilities of older adults. Seniors aged 60 and above are evaluated in areas including self-care ability, mobility, mental status, sensory perception and social participation.

Those classified as having moderate, severe or complete care needs qualify for monthly vouchers of up to 800 yuan.

According to Zeng Yi, director of the People's Livelihood Security Service Center of Xinbei District, local authorities have strengthened policy implementation through targeted training programs and detailed operational guidance for community-level staff, ensuring that support reaches seniors with the greatest care needs.

The care-needs assessment serves as the first step in the application process. Xinbei has established a district-wide assessment network led by Dekang Hospital and supported by township and subdistrict health centers. A team of 100 trained assessors has been formed, while specialized training programs have been conducted to standardize procedures and ensure fair and accurate evaluations.

Since the beginning of the year, more than 1,400 assessments have been completed in Xinbei alone.

As of June 22, Changzhou had issued 30,286 elderly care service vouchers, with redeemed vouchers totaling 19.62 million yuan and benefiting 7,284 seniors.

Expanding elderly care services

The voucher program forms part of a broader effort to improve elderly care services across the city.

This year's key public welfare initiatives include optimizing home-based elderly care services and strengthening professional training for caregivers and senior-care consultants.

To address the dining needs of older residents, Changzhou has continued expanding its senior meal service network. By the end of last year, the city had established 413 meal service locations for seniors. Since the beginning of this year, more than 111,000 elderly residents have received meal assistance services.

The city has also enhanced home-care support for economically disadvantaged seniors who are elderly, disabled or living alone. Under updated service guidelines, eligible seniors receive regular home visits that may include daily living assistance, basic nursing care, health management, companionship and emotional support.

To improve the quality of care services, Changzhou has launched training programs for 4,000 caregivers and 1,000 senior-care consultants this year. So far, six rounds of training have been completed, covering 1,337 participants.

Delivering more personalized support

As China's population continues to age, the needs of older adults are becoming increasingly diverse.

While many seniors are able to visit community meal service sites independently, some individuals with limited mobility face additional challenges. To address this issue, Changzhou has taken the lead in Jiangsu province by introducing a home meal delivery service for economically disadvantaged seniors with moderate or higher levels of care needs.

The service is provided through volunteers, meal service centers and delivery providers, allowing eligible seniors to receive nutritious meals without leaving their homes.

Local districts and county-level cities have completed preliminary surveys and have begun providing meal delivery services to seniors who meet the eligibility requirements and request assistance.

Changzhou has also expanded the scope of its home-care assistance program by adding consultation services related to end-of-life planning and family affairs, reflecting a growing emphasis on personalized and comprehensive support.

From financial assistance and meal services to professional care and emotional support, Changzhou is continuing to build a more inclusive and sustainable elderly care system. As the city responds to the challenges of an aging society, its goal is not only to ensure that seniors receive care, but also to help them enjoy a higher quality of life in their later years.

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