Home
Business
Metro
Nation
World
Sports
Feature
Opinion
View more »Opinion Columns
Wan LixinOpinion deputy editor of Shanghai Daily
Novel responses in food waste campaign
Creating a level playing field in the world of work
Sunday
- Subscribe
Training program helps families to take better care of disabled elders
Print Edition
“Be careful, push the wheelchair slowly, and check whether there are obstacles nearby when you move the wheelchair,” Xu Zhenglian, a senior care worker, patiently tells 90-year-old Zhao Maolu, a resident of downtown Jing’an District.
These instructions come as part of a training program aimed at families with disabled senior citizens in Shanghai. The program is gradually being rolled out across the city to equip households with basic nursing skills and fill gaps in senior care services.
Zhao’s wife, 83-year-old Zhang Meiping, suffers from chronic health conditions such as diabetes and coronary heart disease, as well as spinal bifida which limits her movement.
As the couple’s children are overseas, they look after each other.
Zhao cares for his spouse alone, although he lacks nursing skills and his age makes things even more difficult.
“You need to press this hard to stop the wheelchair, and please check the pedals carefully,” Xu instructs again and again. Alongside, Zhao observes intently.
“I don’t know how to care for my wife properly,” Zhao said. “My memory is deteriorating due to age, so I must learn carefully.”
Relying on community-based senior service facilities and agencies, classes such as those for Zhao cover a range of physical and mental health topics relevant to seniors, the Shanghai Civil Affairs Bureau said.
Both group training and home visits are offered. There are also services to help ease psychological pressure and avoid health hazards, the bureau said.
The needs of families with seniors are addressed to provide personalized services.
The program was first tested in 2018, when it benefited around 1,500 people in eight local districts, according to the bureau. In a second year of trials, it expanded to nine districts and 4,500 beneficiaries.
The third and fourth batches of trials are under way, the bureau said. By the end of this year, 12 districts will be covered in total. Financial support from the city’s welfare lottery fund worth 8.97 million yuan (US$1.28 million) will be delivered for the third and fourth rounds of trials.
The services are being provided by 29 senior care service agencies, up from seven originally, the bureau noted.
Xu Zhenglian takes her bag with coronavirus prevention items, such as disinfectants.
The Nanjing Road W. subdistrict, where Zhao and Zhang live, was among the first batch of trial sites. Ruifu Senior Care Service Center, where Xu is a nurse, delivers their training.
“The training solutions for each family vary, and we make adjustments based on their actual demands,” Xu said.
"The highlight of this family’s guidance is lower limb massage, based on Zhang’s condition,” she explained.
At the couple’s home, Xu, who serves six households with seniors under the program, repeatedly demonstrated proper massage techniques yesterday to build Zhao’s memory.
She also instructed the couple on how to safely travel outside while using the wheelchair.
“See, you can fasten the safety belt like this. Don’t wear slippers when you step on the wheelchair to prevent slipping,” Xu told the couple. “Put a blanket on her knees to keep warm.”
Along with other health tips, she also informed the couple not to take long baths due to high blood pressure.
The couple have been receiving training sessions for more than one month. “The project is really good and helpful,” said Zhang. “My husband knows how to ease my sore legs with massage now, and my quality of life has improved a lot.”
The training teams comprise social workers, psychological counselors, nursing staff, medical workers, therapists and nutritionists.
The Ruifu Senior Care Service Center is providing such training in 10 subdistricts and towns. Its classes cover sleep care, bathing, osteoporosis, heart disease, shoulder periarthritis, and nutrition etc.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
