Entering the Home-based Elderly Care Service Center of Binhe Community, High-tech Zone, Chengde City, Hebei Province——

"Living in such a big loving family is so much fun!" (Prosperous China)

  It is necessary to combine the ability of the elderly with the support of the elderly, study and improve policies and measures, encourage the elderly to continue to shine, give full play to the role of the younger elderly, and promote volunteers to do more in community governance.

——Xi Jinping

From August 23 to 24, 2021, Xi Jinping inspected Chengde City, Hebei Province.

The picture shows that on the afternoon of the 24th, when Xi Jinping inspected the Binhe Community of Chengde High-tech Zone, he cordially communicated with the residents of the community.

Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Xueren

  On the eve of the Spring Festival, in Binhe Community, High-tech Zone, Chengde City, Hebei Province, the small square in front of the Home Elderly Care Service Center was particularly lively and festive.

  "In August last year, General Secretary Xi Jinping came to our community for inspection, and it was in this small square that he had a cordial exchange with the masses. The general secretary was particularly concerned about the old people's old age, which made everyone feel warm!" The head of Binhe Community Yu Yu Lan led the reporter through the small square and into the home care service center.

  There was jubilation in the house.

In the activity room of the senior university, accompanied by the song "Our Life is Full of Sunshine", the aunts in gold silk red dresses danced to their heart's content.

"In the six months since the general secretary's inspection, there have been many changes in the community. Uncles and aunts are all energetic, and they are no worse than young people!" Yu Lan said.

"It's convenient everywhere, it's not too picky"

  A strong aroma of rice wafted from one end of the corridor.

  "The dining hall for the elderly is open!" Yu Lan pointed to a room on the south side of the first floor.

"Newly opened in September last year, it is very popular with the elderly!"

  In the canteen for the elderly, the six dining tables for four were kept clean and tidy. Several uncles and aunts were eating, and many elderly people walked in slowly with lunch boxes.

On the table on one side, the dishes just out of the pot are steaming hot, braised fish pieces, scrambled eggs with green peppers, white roasted radishes... Eight dishes with meat and vegetables, plus rice and pasta, are rich and attractive.

  The 68-year-old Mr. Zhang Ruocheng chatted with reporters while cooking: "The old mother in her 90s is waiting to bring it back to her. The food in the cafeteria is delicious and varied."

  On the wall of the canteen, the daily updated menu details the meals and prices of breakfast, lunch and dinner. Each meal also comes with two different sets of low-sugar and low-fat meals.

  "When the general secretary came to inspect, he pointed out that it is an important responsibility of party committees and governments at all levels to meet the various needs of the elderly and enable them to have a happy old age. , many elderly people's children are not around, 'eating' is the most common 'just need'." Yu Lan said.

  In early September last year, Binhe Community and the High-tech Zone completed the renovation of an elderly canteen in three days.

The canteen adopts the mode of government subsidy and third-party operation.

The elderly over 60 years old are 5 yuan for breakfast and dinner, 10 yuan for lunch, half price for those over 80 years old, and free for those over 90 years old.

  "I came here in the first few days of the trial." The 85-year-old Hao Guifeng is the only one at home with her husband. In the past, she had to buy food and cook by herself, which was time-consuming and laborious.

"Now, I come to the cafeteria to have two meals every morning and noon. It saves money and energy and is nutritious. It's convenient everywhere. It's not too picky!" she said.

  You must eat well and live comfortably.

In August last year, General Secretary Xi Jinping went to a home-based elderly care service center to inspect projects such as aging-appropriate renovations.

Nowadays, all kinds of equipment displayed in the aging-friendly renovation exhibition room appear in the homes of many elderly people.

More than 60 families in Binhe Community have completed aging-appropriate renovation.

  When the reporter found Uncle Liu Baochuan's house, he was doing rehabilitation training with the aid of a walking aid.

Uncle Liu, 62 years old, suffers from diabetes, cerebral thrombosis, and has limited mobility.

  "The community helped me install a toilet booster, and sent a bathing chair and walking aids. Walking is less strenuous, and sitting and bathing is much more secure." Uncle Liu told reporters that there is still a "bodyguard" at home!

  In the second half of last year, the community distributed surveillance cameras to more than 20 families with sick elderly people and elderly people living alone. They can automatically lock and track shooting targets, and can also use mobile phones for real-time intercom.

  While we were chatting, the camera "speaked": "Old man, are you alright at home?" It turned out that it was the wife who went out to do errands and remembered Uncle Liu.

"Now I'm also a 'red vest'"

  "Xiaoyue, my eyes are much better! Thank you for accompanying me to the hospital for an examination two days ago." On the small square, Zhang Yufu, who went out for a walk, recognized a woman in a volunteer red vest at a glance.

  "Aunt Zhang, you're welcome! If you need help again, you can call me at any time!" The "red vest" replied affectionately.

  The "Xiaoyue" in Zhang Yufu's mouth is 64-year-old Yue Shurong, an elderly volunteer of the Lei Feng Volunteer Service Team of Binhe Community Geriatrics, and a well-known "warmhearted" in the community.

On weekdays, she often goes to the house of Zhang Yufu, an 87-year-old living alone, to clean and do homework.

A while ago, I heard that Zhang Yufu was suffering from an eye disease, and Yue Shurong immediately offered to accompany her to the hospital, "In those few days, Chengde snowed heavily, and the snow was deep on the ground. How could Aunt Zhang take the bus alone?"

  Yue Shurong is accustomed to such "troublesome matters".

"With our children away, we are all 'empty-nest elders'. While our bodies are still strong, it is very comfortable to provide some help to the older people within our ability!"

  Three years ago, when the community set up a home-based elderly care service center, Yue Shurong and a group of "vigorous seniors" who were in good health and spirits gathered together to form a volunteer service team.

  When General Secretary Xi Jinping came to inspect, he met five representatives of elderly volunteers, and Yue Shurong was one of them.

  "We told the general secretary that being a volunteer is to do something in the old age, and give full play to the residual energy." Yue Shurong recalled, "The general secretary said that we spoke very well. A question of how to do something."

  "Hearing the affirmation of the general secretary with our own ears, we are so happy that we are about to jump up!" Hu Xiying, an elderly volunteer who also saw General Secretary Xi Jinping, told reporters, "We have a higher spirit and are willing to walk ahead in everything!"

  Just the day after General Secretary Xi Jinping's inspection, three aunts who were over 60 found community workers and applied to join the volunteer service team.

In less than half a year, the service team has expanded to 58 people. Each of them is distributed in 12 groups, including the condolences group, the literature and art group, and the domestic service group, according to their specialties. Two volunteers take turns on duty every day.

  "In the past, I always saw the 'red vests' busy and busy in the community yard, looking at their unique positive energy. Now I have become a 'red vest', and I feel that I have endless energy every day. The children said that I laughed. There are more too.” 60-year-old Wu Yahong just became a volunteer in September last year, and donated three large jars of his family to the newly opened old canteen, “for the old sisters to pickle sauerkraut!”

  "The general secretary said that it is necessary to study and improve policies and measures, encourage the elderly to continue to shine, give full play to the role of the younger elderly, and promote volunteers to do more in community governance." Yu Lan introduced that the "Time Bank" piloted in the community "The mechanism is constantly being improved, and the silver-haired volunteers have "saved" nearly 7,000 hours of service time. "Today they serve others, and others will serve them in the future. Love is constantly circulating in our community."

"As soon as the music starts, I'm free of any disease"

  "Mr. Yang, you can help us dig out the details." In the activity room of the senior university, 59-year-old Zhao Fengyun and several aunts surrounded teacher Yang Lina, gesturing dance moves on their hands.

  This year, Binhe Community and Lihua Community next door jointly held the first community network Spring Festival Gala, and the elderly from the two communities were the protagonists.

The chorus, cheongsam show, poetry recitation, folk music performance... The program list was full of splendor. Zhao Fengyun and the old sisters signed up for 3 programs in a row to show their "great achievements" in the community college for the elderly.

  "Practice dance on Mondays and Thursdays, and take vocal music lessons on Wednesdays and Thursdays. How fulfilling!" Zhao Fengyun retired for nearly 10 years. In the past few years, she was busy with her little grandson. After the child entered kindergarten, she was too busy.

"When I was young, I liked to sing and dance, but unfortunately I didn't have time to study. Now the senior university courses are rich and free, so I must hurry up and seize the good opportunity?" Zhao Fengyun laughed.

  Since 2018, Binhe Community has opened a community college for the elderly with "public education and free learning", to build a bridge between the "advanced" elderly and the "eager to learn", so that both parties need and achieve each other.

  Dance class teacher Yang Lina was a national second-level choreographer.

Her specialty was carefully captured by the community cadres who visited the household and recorded on the information platform.

"I am very happy to be able to teach the old sisters, and I have regained my vitality. My wife said that as soon as the music played, I was free of all diseases!" Speaking of this, 67-year-old Yang Lina smiled.

  Walking in the Binhe community, the reporter felt the warmth of home everywhere: the elderly called Yu Lan and these community cadres "daughter, boy", while Yu Lan and his colleagues called the elderly "uncle", "aunt" and "grandmother".

Between people, there is no stranger, only laughter.

  "It's said that being a volunteer is hard work, but I think it's more fun." Hu Xiying said that not long ago, she was carrying two heavy bags to her home, and a stranger took the initiative to help her.

The guy didn't leave a name, but left a sentence: "Are you a community volunteer? I recognize you. I'll volunteer today too!"

  "Living in such a big loving family is so much fun!" Hu Xiying said, if it wasn't for the community providing various platforms for the elderly, she wouldn't be so happy.

She also specially created a poem to express her longing——

  "Eighty is not old, sixty is still young, we are a group of happy friends... Every day is full of sunshine, let us live another 30 years!"

  Author / Yan Yu Shi Ziqiang