Authorities bolster caregiving services amid city lockdown

Shanghai has been strengthening caregiving services for the elderly living alone, patients with critical illness, people with disability, and low-income families during the latest COVID-19 wave.

Civil affairs departments across the city have collected information about elderly people in need of help and carried out care campaigns to share local prevention and control policies and offer psychological counseling for the elderly.

At the Taichen Community in Jiading district, for example, the neighborhood committee has been offering elderly people who live alone free food, including noodles, milk and eggs.

"My husband and I have trouble using smartphones to purchase food online. The problem was resolved by the committee. They help us order food and donate daily necessities to us. We're grateful," said a resident surnamed Gu from the community.

The service is also available in other regions in the city, including the Xujiahui sub-district where a team of 15 couriers collect takeaway meals from local public canteens and deliver them to such elderly individuals.

In addition, local caregivers have been reaching out to these elderly people via phone calls to offer assistance. In-house services are also available for elderly people with chronic diseases living alone or those who require assistance with daily personal care.

The city has also improved access to high-quality healthcare for people with disabilities during the lockdown as well. For example, the Disabled Persons' Federation in the city has been connecting with disabled individuals to determine their needs.

People with disabilities can also contact a municipal hotline for counselling support.

Local enterprises have also donated food and funds to aid the municipal disabled persons' federation. The Shanghai Xisido Convenience Store Company, for example, donated 1,000 bottles of milk to Yuemiao Nursing Home for the Disabled in Putuo district.

According to the Shanghai Disabled Persons' Federation, the city will enhance communication and care for disabled individuals who have been infected with COVID-19 and ensure they have enough food, medicines, and assistive devices.

Official data shows that local rescue management stations in Shanghai have taken care of 1,872 people who have been subjected to poor living conditions due to the current outbreak. A total of 640 million yuan ($100.5 million) in social assistance funds has been distributed to over 170,000 residents struggling financially due to the current COVID-19 in March, according to Shanghai Civil Affairs Bureau.

For those suffering from severe diseases such as cancers and mental illness, the Shanghai Red Cross Society has also raised funds to help with patients' essential needs.