Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, southwest China - Recent A young deputy to the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), China's highest organ of state power, has dedicated herself to improving elderly care services for senior residents in rural areas of southwest China. Gashi Wangmo, in her 30s, has been working in the elderly care industry since 2009. Now serving as the director of the nursing home of Barkam City in Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan Province, she still finds time to personally take care of the 61 elderly people in her facility. She said it was challenging for a young woman to take care of senior residents, as she provides hands-on care for seniors who are disabled or suffer from Alzheimer's disease, bathing them, feeding them, and doing their laundry. Having been raised as an orphan in a local welfare home, Wangmo says she found the care and affection she longed for at the nursing home. As an NPC deputy, Wangmo has submitted motions calling for better welfare for young staff, increased investment in the elderly care industry, and encouraging enterprises to contribute to the sector. At the upcoming annual session, Wangmo said, she will focus on advocating for an increase in old-age insurance for the elderly. Barkam City, where Wangmo lives, has a population of over 50,000. However, most young people prefer to seek employment in larger cities, leaving behind only the elderly in rural villages. Due to the high altitude, many elderly individuals suffer from chronic diseases such as hypertension, and even with old-age insurance, the cost of medication remains a significant burden for them. Shotlist: Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, southwest China - Recent: 1. Various of Gashi Wangmo, director of local nursing home and deputy to 14th National People's Congress (NPC), taking care of senior residents; 2. Aerial shot of nursing home; 3. Various of senior residents at nursing home doing exercises with music; 4. Senior residents enjoying sunshine; 5. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Gashi Wangmo, director of local nursing home; deputy to 14th NPC (ending with shot 6): "Many people asked me if I do this job because I care about the elderly. I care about them and love them, and I like their company. They accompany me while I accompany them."; 6. Various of photos on wall; 7. Various of Wangmo, senior residents enjoying themselves; 8. Wangmo walking with reporter; 9. Aerial shot of village view; 10. Various of Wangmo talking with senior residents; 11. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Gashi Wangmo, director of local nursing home; deputy to 14th NPC (ending with shot 12): "The old-age insurance was raised by 20 yuan (about 2.75 U.S. dollars) last year, but I think it's far from enough to meet the needs of the elderly. Now the young people are all working in other places, leaving behind only the elderly. These senior residents in the rural area need money for medical treatment, for food, and for everything else, and they have to bear the cost themselves. If their children can earn a lot, they can enjoy a good life; if not, they have to rely only on their monthly old-age insurance."; 12. Various of Wangmo visiting homes of senior residents, talking with them; 13. Wangmo walking with reporter; 14. Sign reading "Nursing Home of Barkam City of Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture"; 15. Various of Wangmo walking, taking care of senior residents. [Restriction - No access Chinese mainland]