China News Service, Jinan, February 4th (Li Mingrui) Prepare blood pressure monitors, oximeters, assemble bathtubs, lay waterproof pads, disinfect bathtubs, and adjust water temperature... On February 4th, after a series of preparations were completed , Zhang Hui, a "post-00" bath assistant in Jinan, and his colleagues carried the elderly with limited mobility into the bathtub and started the bath assistance service.
With the increase of China's elderly population, bathing services have attracted social attention.
According to data from the National Health Commission of China, by the end of 2021, China's elderly population aged 60 and over will reach 267 million, and the elderly population aged 65 and over will reach more than 200 million.
Zhang Hui and her colleagues provide bathing services for the elderly.
Photo provided by the interviewee
Against the above background, the post of "bath assistant" who specially provides bathing services for the elderly came into being, and bath assistance services have gradually emerged in some places in Beijing, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Shandong and other provinces and cities.
It is worth noting that in recent years, more and more "Generation Z" faces have appeared in this emerging professional group, helping to solve the "pain points" of the "silver-haired" pensioners.
Zhang Hui, 22 years old this year, is a bath assistant at Jinan Chunheshan Senior Care Service Co., Ltd. In the past six months, she has served more than a hundred elderly people.
In her opinion, it is very meaningful to assist the elderly in bathing. "'Aiding the bath' can not only help the elderly to wash away their physical discomfort, but also help the elderly to relax spiritually."
"Xiao Zhang, when will you come over next time?" This is the sentence that Zhang Hui hears the most every time she works.
Zhang Hui said that every time she sees the grateful eyes of the elderly and their families, and the comfortable appearance of the elderly after taking a bath, she feels a sense of accomplishment, which is also the motivation for her to persist in this job.
Cao Shuai, the founder of Jinan Chunheshan Pension Service Co., Ltd., is a post-90s generation. Taking his own experience as an example, he said that taking a bath is a common thing for young people, but it is a favorite of many old people. Unspeakable pain.
His 80-year-old grandfather was bedridden due to illness and fell into a semi-disabled state. He was once troubled by the problem of bathing.
"Many disabled or semi-disabled elderly people suffer from diseases, and psychological fluctuations or other conditions caused by bathing can easily stimulate the elderly and lead to accidents. This requires more professional and younger people to help solve the problem."
"'Bath aid' can increase stickiness by serving the elderly, and gradually extend to the emotional communication and spiritual comfort of the elderly's home through the 'bath aid'." Cao Shuai said that before he engaged in this industry, he learned that Japan has "Visit bath aid", and learn from a bath aid company in Japan, and transform it into a bath aid service suitable for Chinese people.
"The company's employees are also tending to be younger, and they have undergone systematic training before taking up the job, so they can better serve the elderly."
Zhang Hui and her colleagues provide bathing services for the elderly.
Photo provided by the interviewee
In 2022, the State Council of China issued the "14th Five-Year Plan" for the Development of National Aging Care and the System of Elderly Care Services, which clearly pointed out that the development of various business types such as community bathing points, mobile bathing vehicles, and household bathing aids should be supported, as well as the promotion of aiding services. Research and development of bath service related products.
According to data released by an e-commerce platform, in 2021, the search volume of keywords such as "bath assistance for the elderly" and "bath assistance for the elderly" will increase by 808.06% year-on-year, and the order volume for "bath assistance for the elderly" will increase by 1450% year-on-year.
"For the elderly to age cleanly and decently, market forces cannot be absent, let alone the care of family members, the care of the social pension system and the transformation of traditional concepts." Cao Shuai said frankly, in addition to helping the elderly "bath" back to their dignity, " There are many things that can be done to bring happiness back to the “bath” and I hope that more and more people will pay attention to and participate in the work of elderly care services.
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