Beijing's government proposed a trial scheme last month to give subsidies to elderly people who decide to move away from the city into nearby care homes in Tianjin and Hebei province.

Based on the details of the plan provided, necessary arrangements will be made to ensure that public medical insurance will cover their expenses in the two districts.

Like Us on Facebook

Although details have not been finalized yet, the scheme will use a government and private co-funded home near the border between Beijing and Wuqing, an official from the district civil affairs bureau told the South China Morning Post.

Also, the government wants to make use of the elderly homes in Hebei and Tianjin since well-managed elderly care homes in Beijing have been closed to most general bookings. At the moment, they only accept applications from senior citizens who have government support, or are disabled, over 70 years old and have no children.

However, some senior citizens have not welcomed the idea. "I still prefer Beijing because there are so many good hospitals here," one elderly person commented.

Meanwhile, Lu Jiehua, a professor from Peking University's sociology department, admitted to having little confidence in Beijing's plan as neighboring cities are not equipped with the necessary resources and the air in these areas are just as bad as it is in Beijing.

She suggested that instead of the relocation plan, the government could gain better results if it shifts its focus on differential care. For instance, some could go to a center during the day time to have some company over meals, while others could avail of home services.

She further added that merely luring elderly people to move away from the city with subsidies is not convincing enough.

TagsBeijing, Elderly population