Mr. Xin Jie Cai
Vice Director,
Civil Administration Bureau,
Weihai City, China

CONTENTS

1. City Report

2. Action Plan

1. City Report

1.1. Action Plan

Weihai is a new and rapidly growing port city of 2.5 million at the tip of the Shandung peninsula. It was only half a million in 1950. Both natural increase and immigration have contributed to its growth. China’s rapid fertility decline after 1970 is reflected in Weihai’s age structure. The young (0-14) now constitute just 18 percent of the population and those 65 and over are 13 percent, growing from just 3 percent in 1970. The aged are growing rapidly, and are now a substantially higher proportion of Weihai’s population than of China’s overall. Weihai has been a leader among China’s cities in rapid economic growth and environmental protection; it is also a leader in the country’s emerging problem of the aged. 

It is recognized that services and institutions for the aged are limited and insufficient. Thus there is now a major thrust to increase both. Health and pension insurance are limited especially in the rural areas, but are being extended. New welfare organizations and old people’s homes are being rapidly developed. A service system for the aged is being developed based on home care, community care and institutional care. And a special effort is being made to develop a market for the aged with companies encouraged to build apartments and services for the aged.

To TOP

2. Action Plan

In the city, we will build a high-level centre for the elderly. There are about 1,000 elderly in the city who are without children, handicapped and demented. It is necessary for us to build a service home for them. After this workshop, we will put it into practice.

1. To report to, and mobilize support from the mayor ( Nov.11, 2006)
2. To choose the place. We now have the idea to build it in Wenquan town Huancui District, covering an area of 100 hectares. (Dec, 2006)
3. To consult with other city officials, i.e., Health Bureau, Planning Bureau and City Construction Bureau. ( Dec, 2006-Jan.1, 2007)
4. To mobilize financial resources. The total amount will be 40 million yuan, we have two ways to raise money. One is from the lottery (about 20 million yuan), another is from the government (about 20 million yuan). ( Feb, 2007)
5. To plan and to design. The initial construction area will be 5,000-6,000 square meters with 400 beds. ( Dec, 2006-March,2007)
6. To invite bids for the construction (March,2007)
7. To go into operation (from April,2007-Jan,2008)
8. To train doctors and nurses for the centre (Feb,2008)
9. To decorate (from Feb,2008-April,2008)
10. To move elderly into the centre. (May,2008)

There will be 40 doctors and nurses in the centre, their salary will be paid by the government. If there are vacant beds, the center can provide them to those who have family or children. They must pay the fee for the meals and accommodation, the cost is about 600 yuan. 

In rural areas, Weihai put emphasis on the construction of old people's homes and service centers for the elderly. Weihai has the jurisdiction of Rongcheng, Wendeng and Rushan county. There are nearly 10,000 elderly people without family and children in Weihai, among whom there are 9,000 elderly people in the rural areas. Before 2005, there were only 64 homes for the elderly with beds for 4,000. That can not meet the needs of the elderly. Weihai municipal government paid much attention to this problem, and prepared 25 million yuan for the construction of the homes. By the end of 2006, there will be an additonal 100 homes with 7,000 beds. It is estimated that all constructions will be completed by the end of 2007, at that time there will be 120 homes with 9,000 beds, and about 7,000 senior people will move into the homes for the elderly. All costs will be paid by the city government. After this workshop, I will monitor the program to be completed on time.

Social welfare service centers

Otherwise, in order to provide high quality service to the elderly in rural areas, we will build social welfare service centers in three counties and Huancui District, each centre covering an area of 20,000-30,000 square meters with 15-20 doctors and nurses. The center in Huancui District has already been completed, and both Wendeng county and Rushan county have already begun construction in 2006. Rongcheng county will begin in 2007. 

Action Plan Flow Chart