Interviewer: What can you tell us about the recent health service initiative for the elderly in Henan, particularly for those who are disabled?
Expert: This past June, Henan Province launched a health service initiative specifically targeting elderly individuals who are disabled. So far, over 103,500 disabled seniors have benefited from this program, which includes free in-home health management and the first round of home health services and guidance.
Interviewer: Can you describe what a typical visit includes?
Expert: Certainly! For instance, on October 11, just in time for the Double Ninth Festival, Dr. Xu Xiao visited Ms. Xing Zhi in her home in Baofeng County. She brought along medical equipment and, as part of the visit, monitored Ms. Xing’s blood pressure and provided rehabilitation therapy for her hemiplegia. Throughout, Dr. Xu also took the time to educate family members on how to care for disabled elders.
Interviewer: What impact does this initiative have on the families of disabled seniors?
Expert: It’s quite substantial. In communities like Anyangcheng, for example, many families face challenges when one member becomes disabled. Mrs. Li, 78, shares that her husband has been her sole caretaker, as hiring professional help can be prohibitively expensive, often costing upwards of $400 to $600 a month. With our program, families receive the necessary support that can alleviate their burdens.
Interviewer: How does the program specifically address the needs of families with disabled elders?
Expert: The solution is comprehensive. Our initiative includes home health assessments, care guidance, nutritional advice, and even mental health support. For instance, during a September visit to Mr. Wang in Zhengzhou, health professionals not only provided physical rehabilitation but also engaged him socially and educated his family on proper care techniques to prevent complications or muscle atrophy.
Interviewer: What steps are necessary for families to access these services?
Expert: Families can proactively apply or be referred to us through local health institutions. Once verified, our family doctor teams can arrange home visits. Before commencing any service, we engage with the elderly individual or their guardian, ensuring that two qualified staff members are present during visits, along with a caregiver.
Interviewer: Are psychological health services part of this initiative?
Expert: Yes, indeed. Our family doctors are trained to address both the physical and psychological needs of our clients. We offer emotional support and have established a dedicated health consultation hotline for seniors and their caregivers to address any health concerns as they arise.
Interviewer: What do you see as the future of elderly care for the disabled in Henan?
Expert: To truly solve these care challenges, we need a collaborative approach involving government, society, and individuals. Legislative support is essential, along with a robust framework for family support systems and shared resources to improve care quality.
Interviewer: How is Henan positioning itself to meet these challenges?
Expert: In recent years, Henan has made significant strides in developing a comprehensive care system for disabled and dementia patients. All 157 counties now have at least one institution focused on the care of disabled seniors, with a network of over 22,000 service facilities and 540,000 beds. Additionally, our smart senior care platform has connected more than 18 million elderly individuals across the province, ensuring that support is both accessible and efficient.
Interviewer: Thank you for sharing this important information. It sounds like a promising step forward for elderly care in Henan.
