Training program helps families to take better care of disabled elders
Print Edition
鈥淏e careful, push the wheelchair slowly, and check whether there are obstacles nearby when you move the wheelchair,鈥 Xu Zhenglian, a senior care worker, patiently tells 90-year-old Zhao Maolu, a resident of downtown Jing鈥檃n 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鈥檚 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鈥檚 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.
鈥淵ou need to press this hard to stop the wheelchair, and please check the pedals carefully,鈥 Xu instructs again and again. Alongside, Zhao observes intently.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 know how to care for my wife properly,鈥 Zhao said. 鈥淢y memory is deteriorating due to age, so I must learn carefully.鈥
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鈥檚 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.
鈥淭he training solutions for each family vary, and we make adjustments based on their actual demands,鈥 Xu said.
"The highlight of this family鈥檚 guidance is lower limb massage, based on Zhang鈥檚 condition,鈥 she explained.
At the couple鈥檚 home, Xu, who serves six households with seniors under the program, repeatedly demonstrated proper massage techniques yesterday to build Zhao鈥檚 memory.
She also instructed the couple on how to safely travel outside while using the wheelchair.
鈥淪ee, you can fasten the safety belt like this. Don鈥檛 wear slippers when you step on the wheelchair to prevent slipping,鈥 Xu told the couple. 鈥淧ut a blanket on her knees to keep warm.鈥
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. 鈥淭he project is really good and helpful,鈥 said Zhang. 鈥淢y husband knows how to ease my sore legs with massage now, and my quality of life has improved a lot.鈥
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
- 娌狪CP璇侊細娌狪CP澶05050403鍙-1
- |
- 浜掕仈缃戞柊闂讳俊鎭湇鍔¤鍙瘉锛31120180004
- |
- 缃戠粶瑙嗗惉璁稿彲璇侊細0909346
- |
- 骞挎挱鐢佃鑺傜洰鍒朵綔璁稿彲璇侊細娌瓧绗354鍙
- |
- 澧炲肩數淇′笟鍔＄粡钀ヨ鍙瘉锛氭勃B2-20120012
Copyright 漏 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
