Zhou Hongshuang, Li Xiaodong, Guo Qiao
"Smile! Tilt your head slightly to the left..." Early in the morning, at the senior activity center in Wangyang Town, Renshou County, Meishan City, Sichuan Province, the sound of camera shutters and laughter filled the air as volunteers from the county photographers' association busily took free portrait photos for the elderly.
The seniors carefully adjusted their clothing, capturing their most beautiful moments before the camera. Nearby, medical staff methodically measured blood pressure and tested blood sugar for the elderly. This lively scene is a daily snapshot of the Wangyang Town senior activity center.
Few could imagine that this warm haven—over 3,000 square meters and serving more than 200 people daily—was a neglected idle building just 10 years ago.
In 2015, Wangyang Town's aging rate reached 25.63%, yet there was not a single decent activity venue for seniors in the area. Zhang Yijun, president of the Wangyang Town Senior Association, led members on a search and finally found an idle property, launching a "revitalization battle."
The association worked hard to secure and meticulously design over 3,000 square meters of renovation space from the idle building. With no funding, Zhang Yijun led members to seek support from various sectors and raised over 1 million yuan for renovations. The main building was fully paved with anti-slip tiles, the gateball court was fitted with a translucent rain canopy, reading rooms and rehearsal halls were fully equipped, and over 400 sets of tables and chairs were provided.
To ensure this hard-won "elderly care haven" would benefit the community for the long term, a refined governance mechanism was established. The center implemented three systems: full staff on-duty, daily cleaning, and fixed-position responsibility. Zhang Yijun and core members worked year-round without rest, on duty around the clock without pay.
Every morning, duty personnel arrived early for cleaning, and many younger seniors were inspired to join the volunteer work force. Over the past 10 years, the association has consistently offered courses in ideology, law, and vocal music, formed volunteer service, dance, gateball, tai chi, and wind instrument teams, and actively carried out various service activities, benefiting over 13,000 people.
One hundred twenty party members from the retired party branch led by example in duty shifts, policy outreach, and senior volunteer services, pairing up to help disadvantaged youth. Each year during Senior Month, exemplary filial piety individuals are recognized, and centenarians are visited. A new culture of respecting and caring for the elderly has quietly taken root in this land.
Wangyang Town's exploration provides a vivid example for Renshou County's efforts to build a county-level elderly care service system. In rural areas, the elderly care service network continues to expand. In Cihang Town, over 50 seniors use the activity center daily. In Heilongtan Town, arts and yangge teams rehearse at the center every day. Seniors showcase their talents and expand their interests at the centers, bringing vitality to rural elderly care.
In urban areas, elderly care construction is being advanced by "squeezing in" wherever possible. Dadao Community in Huairen Street converted idle residential space into a multifunctional activity center, integrating over 1.3 million yuan to revitalize idle space and build 12 neighborhood stations and 4 elderly care service points. Gaosun Community in Puning Street implemented a "resident order" service, setting up 22 grid service points across multiple residential compounds to provide assistance and errand services for elderly living alone, truly delivering care to their doorsteps.
Data shows that Renshou County has built 3 high-standard elderly care institutions, continuously operating 2 street community elderly care complexes, 5 community elderly care service points, 4 senior dining halls, and 74 rural day care centers, achieving full coverage of elderly care service facilities across townships and streets. These warm spaces, spreading like spring vines, firmly support the happy twilight years of the elderly.