To understand the current situation of rural elderly care and address the challenges faced, the Hangzhou YWCA in Zhejiang Province conducted village research in Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province.
According to the Hangzhou Municipal Bureau of Ethnic and Religious Affairs, to improve elderly care services, the Hangzhou YWCA, in collaboration with the Zhejiang Happy Aging Foundation, recently conducted research on "supporting the elderly" in Shangren Village, Hengxi Town, Yinzhou District, Ningbo City, to help them seek solutions.
During the visits and discussions, the research team learned that Shangren Village is located in a mountainous area, with a low level of socio-economic development. Due to industrial transfer and population migration, the number of empty-nest elderly people has been increasing year by year. Most elderly people face problems such as economic difficulties, poor health, a need for care, and loneliness. However, at present, rural volunteers lack corresponding professional knowledge, especially when caring for the elderly who are sick or unable to take care of themselves. There is a significant gap between the level of care and the actual needs.
During the research period, the Hangzhou YWCA established a WeChat volunteer group to guide them in compiling a list of elderly people, establishing electronic files, and implementing three-tier management. They also informed volunteers to film each visit and archive it for subsequent design of personalized training courses.
Next, the Hangzhou YWCA will combine this research with the volunteer service project "Knocking on Doors with Love" as a model to enhance rural volunteer home care services and related curriculum systems.
-Translated by Abigail Wu
