China - August 23, 2024

Shanghai promotes home renovations, upgrades for seniors

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China’s megacity Shanghai is promoting a home renovation and upgrade program for people aged 60 and older.

Residents receive about 400 U.S. dollars that can be spent on any number of senior friendly housing upgrades, like handrails in the bathroom, or non-slip flooring.

The plan also includes replacing outdated household appliances.

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Liu Min, deputy director of Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce:

"In line with the latest national policy promoting consumer goods trade-in programs, Shanghai will further explore supportive measures such as renovations of old houses, partial upgrading of kitchens and bathrooms, home improvements for the elderly, and the replacement of old household appliances for green smart ones on the basis of our city's specific conditions. We are trying to make the life of our residents, including the elderly, more convenient and smarter."

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The city aims to complete home renovations for 6,000 households this year, a 20 percent increase from last year. So far, about 5,000 homes have been renovated.

For residents still deciding on the exact upgrade they want or need, “upgrade experience centers” have been set up in various communities for residents to test-run various products.

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Zhu Yuyu, staff member of community services office of Fenglin street agency, Xuhui District:

"Our neighborhood committee provides elderly people with one-stop services such as making product introductions, assisting them in making applications including applying for subsidies, arranging for third-party assessments at home, helping them sign the contract and finally concluding the renovation."

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Official data showed that as of 2022 China had 280 million people aged 60 and above, accounting for about 20 percent of the total population.

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