In recent years, Binchuan County has continuously refined its elderly care service system, implementing measures such as improving the county-township-village three-tier elderly care service network, launching a "door-knocking initiative" for scattered specially supported individuals, and optimizing meticulous care for disabled seniors. These efforts effectively safeguard the basic living standards of the elderly, ensuring that impoverished seniors and economically disadvantaged disabled seniors receive proper care and support in their later years.
At the Binchuan County Central Nursing Home, located at the former site of the County Party School in Nanyang Gongjing, Jinniu Town, the facility is shaded by lush trees and boasts a pleasant environment. Residents can be seen strolling leisurely or sitting quietly chatting, enjoying their twilight years. Yang Zhaoxun, an elderly resident from Dongsi Village in Jinniu Town who has no children, has lived at the nursing home for over a decade. Speaking about life there, his face lit up with a smile. "I have no children, and I've been at the nursing home for more than ten years," Yang said. "The national policies are good. The service here is excellent, the environment is nice, and the food and clothing are great."
The residents' satisfaction stems from the dedicated efforts of caregivers who work day in and day out. In this warm community, caregiver Luo Meifeng protects every senior with patience and compassion. Her dedication and insights exemplify the spirit of elderly care workers across Binchuan County. "Life is about mindset. No matter what job you do, there's no such thing as high or low status," Luo said. "These seniors have no children or family, which is truly pitiful. We need to treat them with patience and love, as if they were our own family. They can sense your genuine devotion. Everyone has elderly relatives, and we will all grow old ourselves. As long as we keep the right mindset, nothing else matters."
The Binchuan County Central Nursing Home, operational since July 2014, is designed to accommodate 102 beds and provides food, clothing, housing, and medical services for the county's impoverished seniors and economically disadvantaged disabled elderly. To address the specific needs of disabled residents, the facility assigns dedicated staff to handle comprehensive care including meals, daily routines, and rehabilitation. Seniors showing signs of dementia receive one-on-one supervision, with timed reminders for meals and bathroom visits, accompanied outdoor activities and sun exposure, ensuring their basic needs are fully met.
"We currently have 85 residents, primarily impoverished and economically disadvantaged disabled seniors. Our caregivers are on duty 24 hours a day, doing their utmost to serve these elderly and ensure both they and their guardians are satisfied, providing high-quality services," said Wang Yuejun, director of the Binchuan County Central Nursing Home.
To extend the warmth of centralized care to more impoverished seniors, Binchuan County regularly conducts "door-knocking initiatives" for scattered specially supported individuals. Staff members visit villages and households one by one in a comprehensive sweep, promoting centralized care policies face-to-face. The focus is on identifying scattered seniors who live alone, are disabled, or reside in environments with safety hazards, encouraging them one by one to move into nursing homes. A green channel has been established for those willing to be admitted, streamlining procedures and accelerating processing so seniors can move in as soon as possible. As of August 2026, the county has completed visits to 1,012 households, with 92 individuals admitted to elderly care institutions. A growing number of impoverished seniors are emerging from solitary living situations and settling into warm communal homes.
"Currently, the county has established one county-level central nursing home, five township nursing homes, thirty day-care centers, and twelve shared elderly-childcare happiness parks, creating a comprehensive county-township-village three-tier elderly care service network," said Yu Nasong from the Social Affairs and Aging Work Division of the Binchuan County Civil Affairs Bureau. "From January to August 2026, we distributed 5.68 million yuan in special support funds to 658 recipients and 3.62 million yuan in senior allowances to 8,077 people. We will continue to implement various elderly care policies thoroughly and safeguard the welfare of our seniors."
From the county-level central nursing home to township facilities, and from day-care centers to shared elderly-childcare happiness parks, Binchuan County is weaving a tightly-knit county-township-village three-tier elderly care service network, extending the reach of elderly care services to every household. As various elderly welfare policies take effect and deliver results, an increasing number of seniors are achieving proper care, support, and joy in their later years, enjoying a fulfilling and content retirement.