A delegation from the Chaoyang District Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) conducted field research on August 4th, focusing on the public concern of "smart elderly care." The team visited the Wangjing Smart Health and Wellness Experience Center and the Dongfang Comprehensive Nursing Home in Cuigezhuang Township, moving the consultation table to the grassroots level. This approach aims to transform public opinion into practical measures for high-quality elderly care services.
The first stop, the Wangjing Smart Health and Wellness Experience Center, showcased numerous age-friendly renovation devices, embodying the concept that "technology makes elderly care warmer." The center relies on a home-based smart service platform to establish a comprehensive health management system covering "monitoring, warning, interpretation, and intervention." From smart monitoring to remote consultations, and from age-friendly furniture to rehabilitation aids, technology is redefining "quality in later years."
Next, the team visited the Dongfang Comprehensive Nursing Home in Cuigezhuang Township to observe its practical achievements in smart companionship and emergency response. They experienced the convenience brought by integrating age-friendly design with smart technology, offering a glimpse into the future possibilities of elderly care services.
Following the research, CPPCC members, members of democratic parties, academic experts, representatives from nursing homes, and relevant government departments gathered to discuss and contribute ideas for the high-quality development of elderly care services. This discussion was held through the "Jinghua Discussion Hall," a grassroots consultation platform designed to gather broad opinions and build consensus. As a brand of consultative democracy innovated by the Beijing Municipal Committee of the CPPCC, the "Jinghua Discussion Hall" brings the consultation platform directly to people's doorsteps, turning the concept of "good discussion on matters" into a tangible action.
Since last year, the Chaoyang District Committee of the CPPCC has fully promoted the "Jinghua Discussion Hall Together for a Better Future" consultation activity. By leveraging its member workstations across the district's towns and streets, it has pushed members to the grassroots level, forming a cohesive force for consultation at the local level.
During the consultation session, participants engaged in thorough discussions on topics such as the development of the elderly care industry, challenges faced by nursing homes, and AI empowerment of elderly care. Wang Lei, President of the Chaoyang District Elderly Care Service Industry Association, pointed out a current weakness, stating, "The elderly care industry is a fundamental sector for people's wellbeing, but home-based care services are still relatively weak." She suggested strengthening the caregiver team and using smart tools, in conjunction with precise data from government agencies and senior citizens, to effectively respond to emergencies for homebound elderly, especially those who are disabled, have dementia, or live alone.
"The 'smart' aspect should actually consider the people being served, not the service providers," noted Wang Qiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Chaoyang District CPPCC and General Manager of Alibaba's Taobao and Tmall Group's Northern Region. Wang Xibin, a CPPCC member and Manager of the Cadre Supervision Office at the Party Organization Department of China Life Health Industry Investment Co., Ltd., also emphasized that "technology is ultimately a means; meeting the real needs of the elderly is the foundation." Li Jiquan, a CPPCC member and Global Headquarters Partner of Beijing Yingke Law Firm, proposed a higher-level perspective, suggesting that "smart elderly care should be turned into an ecosystem, similar to fine urban management, modularizing each individual's needs for better, tiered management, so that personalized elderly care services can truly be implemented."
From age-friendly renovations to scenario-based experiences, and from policy support to market operations, the attendees closely aligned their discussions with the latest plans for the integrated development of the smart health and elderly care industry in Chaoyang District. They focused on key areas like policy implementation, scenario development, and industrial growth, reaching a consensus and providing guidance for creating a "Chaoyang Model" of smart elderly care.
In response to the valuable insights, relevant government departments expressed their commitment to taking practical measures to address public concerns. This will be achieved through coordination and collaboration, considering the district's large elderly population and diverse needs.
Consultation is not about making decisions in a meeting room; it is about being rooted in service institutions, at people's doorsteps, and in real elderly care scenarios and public needs. When "good discussion on matters" becomes the norm, when public needs align with policy actions, and when a "problem list" for elderly care transforms into a "happiness list" for seniors, the vision of "providing for the elderly, supporting them, entertaining them, and securing them in their old age" will become a reality.