Elderly home renovations under review

Chinese political advisers are calling for more national and local methods to improve elderly friendly home renovations, addressing the challenges of an aging society and enhancing public well-being.

The National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference will convene its annual plenary session in Beijing in early March.

The approximately 2,000 members, drawn from diverse professional backgrounds, use the gathering to submit proposals and offer suggestions on key social issues, helping guide policymaking.

China's rapidly aging population remains a major concern for the CPPCC, as reflected in the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25). The plan includes initiatives to support 2 million households with elderly individuals facing disabilities or other difficulties through home renovations designed to improve accessibility.

In line with this, the Committee on Social and Legal Affairs of the CPPCC National Committee launched a five-year initiative to inspect programs aimed at improving the lives of seniors. Members have visited urban and rural communities, government service centers and nursing homes in 19 cities across five provinces, engaging with about 1,000 officials and residents to assess measures ensuring elderly accessibility and well-being.

During an inspection trip to Sichuan province in June, national political advisers visited Leshan, where they observed home renovations that have helped elderly residents.

Since the 14th Five-Year Plan began, Sichuan has allocated more than 18 billion yuan ($2.47 billion) toward home adaptations for aging, disabled and empty-nest elderly households, benefiting 133,000 households.

Wang Ercheng, deputy director of the Committee on Social and Legal Affairs, acknowledged progress in elderly-friendly home renovations, citing increased policy and financial support from local governments. However, he said challenges remain, including the need for a stronger working mechanism to address ongoing issues.

During their visit to a residential community in Yibin, Sichuan, the inspection team reviewed a project installing elevators in older buildings. While these elevators are crucial for elderly and disabled residents, some buildings had opted for half-floor entrances, creating obstacles for those with mobility difficulties.

According to the committee, factors such as building structure, resident opinions, funding constraints and a lack of comprehensive policies have contributed to these design shortcomings.

"A small step that able-bodied individuals can easily overcome may be a 'huge mountain' for people with physical disabilities," said Cheng Kai, a CPPCC National Committee member and chairman of the China Disabled Persons' Federation. "For residents who use wheelchairs or crutches, the half-floor entry still fails to address their fundamental issue."

Cheng urged authorities to align with new provisions in the Accessibility Environment Construction Law and revise local regulations to include more detailed implementation guidelines.

Cheng Ping, another CPPCC National Committee member and former safety director at the Ministry of Transportation, raised concerns about the varying quality of senior-friendly home products due to the absence of unified national standards. She recommended establishing nationwide requirements to ensure consistent quality and safety in renovations.

"Local exploration is encouraged to develop practical regional standards," she said, adding that companies should be guided and supervised to ensure their safety and environmental criteria meet or exceed national standards.

Last year, the Ministry of Civil Affairs released new general requirements for elderly-friendly home renovations, offering technical guidelines for assessment, implementation and approval.

The committee has communicated challenges identified during inspections through supervision reports, consultations and policy proposals. As its five-year review nears completion, plans are in place this year for additional local visits and a comprehensive summary of the initiative's findings.