Seniors find an appetite for community canteens

Dalian practice

The northeastern port city of Dalian plans to enhance basic care services for the elderly in homes and communities as part of its key livelihood projects this year. The work includes a concerted effort to develop meal assistance services for the elderly, with the aim of establishing 100 canteens for seniors and meal assistance facilities for them throughout the city.

In January, the city's civil affairs bureau sought feedback from residents in a survey on the demand for meal assistance services for the elderly. More than 8,000 replies were received within a month, and the bureau is now drawing up a local plan in line with national and provincial guidelines.

The canteen at the Haijing community in Jinpu New Area has become a social hub for local seniors, offering a venue not only for eating but also for playing card games.

Fan Qing, general manager of Maiyatang, a local care services company for the elderly, said, "Acting on a suggestion from a group of people dancing in the nearby square, we opened a private room service to enable customers to order dishes, just like in a restaurant."

Maiyatang operates seven community canteens in Dalian, each with only two or three members, including a chef.

The company focuses on customer requirements and also provides a range of customized services, such as fruit and vegetable group purchases, food processing, and services for those who need medical care.

"Some customers require two meals to be delivered to their home each day. We charge them 900 yuan per month. Some need three meals delivered a day and for their rooms to be cleaned twice a week. We charge them 2,980 yuan per month. We also help turn sick patients over in bed for an additional fee," Fan said.

Of the 24 community canteens in Jinpu New Area, 11 are managed by Detai Kangyang, a subsidiary of local State-owned enterprise Dalian Detai Holdings. Fan provides services for three of the community canteens.

Shang Chengming, Party secretary of Detai Kangyang, a health and care company for seniors, said, "Meals for the elderly have their own characteristics, such as low oil, low salt and low sugar content, balanced nutrition and soft textures.

"We now need to establish a unified standard and make some adjustments according to the different consumption levels of local residents."

Shang said the company is building a comprehensive service structure for the elderly, which covers home and community care as well as inclusive and high-end institutional care.