Shanxi boosts elderly care system development

Shanxi province is making significant strides in enhancing its elderly care service system, prioritizing it in this year's fiscal budget with an allocation of 845 million yuan ($123.73 million).

The province has allocated 128 million yuan in subsidies for the Urban and Rural Elderly Happiness Project that will support the renovation and expansion of 50 community elderly care projects and regional service centers. A further 51.63 million yuan has been earmarked for the "1251" community-based elderly care service project and special construction subsidies for private elderly care institutions.

Shanxi has assigned 311 million yuan in subsidies for the consumption of elderly care services. These funds aim to alleviate the financial burden on elderly individuals with moderate-to-severe disabilities. Another 218 million yuan has been allocated for high-age allowances, ensuring timely disbursements to 890,000 elderly residents aged 80 and over.

Shanxi is also accelerating improvements to its institutional framework, increasing the universal subsidy for the construction of elderly care facilities and expanding support by lowering the entry threshold for operational subsidies for community elderly care institutions, allowing more organizations to benefit from government support.

The province is strengthening financial oversight by incorporating elderly welfare subsidies into the "One Card" platform for direct, efficient distribution, ensuring funds reach the elderly promptly and accurately.