Old-timers play chess at an elderly site in their community. [Photo/Baotou Evening News]

The population aging in China is rapidly developing and the city of Baotou – located in North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region – is no exception.

Currently, Baotou has a registered residential population of 2.24 million – of whom 579,000 are aged over 60, accounting for 25.8 percent of the total.

In recent years, the city has built 669 elderly care service institutions and places, including 256 home-based community elderly care service sites.

The elderly have a growing need for home-based care. Living in their communities, they can enjoy various eldercare services.

"My mother has always been reluctant to leave the community where she has been living for more than 40 years," said Wang Jingqing, a resident of Qingshan district, after visiting the nursing center in her mother's community and booking a room with her family.

"Now, the old people can not only be taken care of, but also be with their old neighbors at the elderly sites in our community. We think this is the best choice".

An interior view of a nursing center in the community. [Photo/Baotou Evening News] 

It is widely said that the development of old-age care cannot be separated from technological empowerment.

Staff members at a smart eldercare service platform provide care resources for seniors. [Photo/Baotou Evening News]

Emergency call equipment is provided by sites for the elderly. [Photo/Baotou Evening News]

Baotou Smart Elderly Care Service Platform provides home-based elderly with various services such as housekeeping services, medical care, spiritual comfort and legal aid at a price lower than the market price. The disabled elderly can also enjoy these services at home.

The municipal government has put forward a series of preferential support policies in the areas of development planning, land security, capital subsidies, service subsidies and developing teams of professional staff members.