Work on the first specially designed community for Chinese
senior citizens will begin in Shanghai Nanhui District on
Wednesday.
When Qinheyuan Community opens in October next year it'll
feature 12 apartment buildings exclusively for the use of senior
citizens.
At the end of 2005 downtown Shanghai was home to more than 2.66
million people aged over 60. This accounts for about 20 percent of
downtown residents according to the Shanghai Civil Affairs
Bureau.
Many elderly people in Shanghai live with their children but a
growing number are living on their own which creates a need for
more retirement and nursing homes.
Based on the experiences of other countries, Shanghai Newgench
Enterprise Group Co. Ltd., with the cooperation of local government
are investing 300 million yuan (US$37 million) in the project.
Apartments in the community will not be for sale but leased out
to woman over 55 and men over 60.
The community will have 12 buildings with 910 apartments and
various facilities including health care services. The community
will be home to around 1,600 residents. The average monthly rent
for an apartment is expected to be around 3,000 yuan.
"All the equipment has been set up for elderly people," said
Newgench's Assistant General Manager, Jing Ruikai. Alarm systems
and infrared monitors will be installed in all rooms and
corridors.
(Shanghai Daily April 14, 2006)