Xinhua News Agency, Jinan, May 9 (Reporter Chen Guofeng) — At noon, entering the elderly care cafeteria at Wu Yi Community, Fangcheng Subdistrict, Fangzi District, Weifang City, Shandong Province, one can see more than ten dishes neatly arranged at the serving counter, including braised cabbage with tofu, scrambled eggs with tomatoes, steamed pumpkin, and more. Elderly people are seated together, enjoying delicious meals while chatting happily — the atmosphere is warm and lively.
"For us older folks, shopping and cooking have become quite a hassle. I used to cook once and eat the same meal all day. Now, coming to the community elderly care cafeteria saves time, effort, and worry. The food is tasty and nutritious!" said 82-year-old Liu Xiuxiang, praising the facility located right in her neighborhood.
Wu Yi Community is an old residential area, where more than 30% of the permanent population are seniors aged 60 or above. In the past, due to an underdeveloped elderly care system, some older residents moved out of the community. Meeting the daily needs of the elderly, such as meals and medical services, has become a pressing issue.
Elderly people wait to have a meal at the elderly care cafeteria in Wu Yi Community, Fangcheng Subdistrict, Weifang City's Fangzi District. Photo by Xinhua reporter Chen Guofeng.
"Since it's inconvenient for the elderly to leave the community, we decided to bring elderly care services right into the neighborhood," said Li Jie, Party branch secretary and director of the residents' committee of Wu Yi Community. He explained that the community has been exploring an "embedded" approach to community-based eldercare, starting with addressing small, everyday needs of seniors — because solving these little issues can make a big difference in their later years.
"Community Party Committee leadership + organizations’ support + charity micro-fund assistance + volunteer services by Party branches", ensuring the long-term, sustainable operation of the cafeteria.
In Wu Yi Community, elderly residents aged 70 to 79 who are classified as extremely poor, receiving minimum living allowances, disabled, living alone, empty-nesters, left-behind elders, or those with severe mobility issues, as well as all seniors aged 80 and above, are eligible for free meals at the community elderly care cafeteria. For those with difficulty moving around, the community has specially formed a volunteer team of Party members to provide free meal delivery services. Since its operation began nearly two years ago, the cafeteria has provided more than 46,000 free meals to elderly residents in total.
A doctor from Renkang Hospital takes the pulse of Li Yuqing, a resident of Wu Yi Community in Fangcheng Subdistrict, Weifang City's Fangzi District. Photo by Xinhua reporter Chen Guofeng.
"Auntie, your liver fire is a bit excessive — drink more chrysanthemum tea and often press on the soles of your feet," said a medical worker from Renkang Hospital, who had visited 72-year-old Li Yuqing’s home to provide free pulse diagnosis, blood pressure measurement, and blood sugar testing. Every Wednesday, the medical team makes rounds in the community, offering basic health services to elderly residents and establishing personal health records for each senior to monitor their health conditions over time.
Geng Caixia, an elderly woman receiving acupuncture treatment at home for over 30 years of lumbar disc herniation, used to struggle with mobility and even found it difficult to leave her bed during severe episodes. Now receiving medical care at home, she said gratefully: "Having medical staff come to my home for treatment — this service truly reaches straight to the heart!"
"Previously, the elderly in our community were mostly moving out, but now many have moved back," said Li Jie. Seniors who are still physically active even volunteer at the elderly care cafeteria, serving as food preparers, meal distributors, or delivery staff. Their involvement has inspired their children to participate in the community’s development. As a result, the community has become more vibrant and lively — when events are organized, people respond enthusiastically.
Zhao Xiaoyan, Standing Committee member of the Fangzi District Party Committee and Minister of the Organization Department, said that by embedding elderly care services within the community, Wu Yi Community has enabled seniors to enjoy happy lives at home without leaving their familiar surroundings, their homes, or their companions. In the future, this "embedded" elderly care model will be promoted across more communities, further enhancing the sense of fulfillment and happiness among local seniors.
