"Look, dear, I eat well here every day!" In the senior canteen of Chengxi Subdistrict, Hailing District, Taizhou City, 76-year-old Mr. Zhang happily picked up a tender piece of braised pork and smiled at his daughter, who had come to join him for lunch. Since the canteen opened, such heartwarming scenes have become commonplace. A reassuring "don’t worry" from visiting children, a bowl of hot porridge handed over by a volunteer, or a kind donation—these small gestures weave together the happy tapestry of "Elderly Care Pathways" in the subdistrict.

This year, Chengxi Subdistrict has tackled challenges such as rapid population aging and the limited cultural life of seniors by launching the initiative "'Party-Building Red' Illuminates 'Sunset Glow': Creating an Integrated Elderly Care Matrix." Through a three-pronged approach—"identifying needs, pooling resources, and promoting action"—the subdistrict has elevated elderly care services from "basic support" to "quality living."

**Identifying Needs with Precision: Listening Closely to Seniors’ Demands** Chengxi Subdistrict established a three-dimensional feedback mechanism combining "grid visits, targeted surveys, and online platforms" to ensure services meet actual needs. Over 3,000 elderly households were visited by Party members, volunteers, and community workers, with 33 common concerns across nine categories—such as medical care and transportation—identified through casual conversations. Online platforms like "Meal Assistance WeChat Groups" were also set up to gather dining preferences and other feedback. For special groups like the elderly living alone or those with limited mobility, individualized records were created to maintain clear oversight. A "demand-resource-service" matching mechanism linked businesses and social organizations to provide 87 resources, resolving 1,040 urgent issues like hallway light repairs and leaky pipes.

**Pooling Resources: A Collaborative Network for Quality Living** The subdistrict integrated diverse resources to make services more accessible. By repurposing idle spaces and upgrading facilities, it established one subdistrict-level "Love Paradise" comprehensive care center, one senior canteen, and 24 upgraded community service stations, achieving full coverage of a "15-minute elderly care circle." Leveraging regional Party-building resources, 27 "Silver-Haired Guardian" teams—comprising over 600 Party members, medical workers, and volunteers—were formed to provide cleaning, meal delivery, and other assistance in 419 sessions. Health-focused initiatives included 56 lectures and 700+ free medical consultations, benefiting over 3,500 seniors. To bridge the "digital divide," 11 sessions of "Senior Digital Academy" were held. Additionally, over 10 types of classes (e.g., health and dance) and 440 cultural activities (like tai chi) were organized to enrich seniors’ lives.

**Empowering Seniors: Harnessing "Silver-Haired Strength" for Community Governance** Breaking away from the "government-only service" model, the subdistrict encouraged seniors to shift from "recipients" to "contributors," turning their experience into a "new engine" for community governance. Twenty-four senior-led platforms, such as "Grid Discussion Rooms" and "Sister Ni’s Neighborhood Hub," were set up, where veteran Party members and community leaders mediated 27 disputes using their expertise and local connections. A "younger seniors assist older seniors" program paired 39 younger retirees (aged 60–70) with those over 80 living alone, fostering mutual aid. Talented seniors like Li Honglin (a family ethics lecturer), Teng Jianghua (a calligrapher), and retired teacher Wang Qingnong led 38 activities, including red-story sessions and public lectures, benefiting over 500 youths and giving seniors a renewed sense of purpose.

Chen Zhenghao, Party Secretary of Chengxi Subdistrict, stated that the subdistrict will continue refining "Elderly Care Pathways" through systematic thinking, demand-driven innovation, and quality living solutions—ensuring seniors thrive at home while contributing to society. The goal is to deliver a "Chengxi Model" where the elderly are well cared for, engaged, and happy.