Number of centenarians on the rise

The number of centenarians in Songjiang District has amounted to 52, with the eldest 106 years old.

Songjiang has 4,051 people at or above 90 years old, a tribute to its stable society and a good old-age welfare system.

Among its centenarians, 12 are men and 40 women, and they are about to be joined by the district’s 32 99-year-olds.

Yongfeng Community, Yueyang Community and Xinqiao Town have the largest number of centenarians, with six each.

The rising number of centenarians is closely related to people’s livelihoods and a stable social welfare system for the elderly. In addition to providing support services, the district government has built facilities for elderly people and paid attention to elderly people education. The Songjiang Civil Affairs Bureau distributed 190 million yuan (US$27.3 million) to about 117,600 elderly people last year.

Zhu Qingsun, the district’s oldest resident at 106, has a healthy diet and maintains her curiosity about the outside world. Though she has hearing problems, she communicates with others through writing notes. Zhu used to be a primary school teacher and after retirement she actively participates in community center activities, exerting her strong points of singing and playing piano.

Wu Baozhu, another centenarian in the district aged 106, is fond of eating fruit. In summer she eats one watermelon every day, whereas in winter she eats sweet oranges. Wu used to drink a cup of lightly salted water after getting up and would drink plenty of milk. She has been living at the Shanghai Fourth Social Welfare Institute for more than 20 years. Family members visit her almost every day.

By the end of 2017, Songjiang’s facilities for the elderly comprised 23 social welfare institutes, six care homes providing both day care and boarding services, seven comprehensive service centers, 33 day-care centers, 294 standardized activity centers, 40 community canteens and 100 model community neighborhood centers. There are 6,693 beds at institutes for the elderly.

The district is to further expand its comprehensive services for the elderly and improve its old-age welfare and medical insurance system.