With the acceleration of the global population aging process, problems such as insufficient sustainability of social security, imbalance of pension services among regions, and discrimination against the elderly have become increasingly prominent. How to improve social security, promote and protect the rights of the elderly has become an important issue that countries need to address urgently.

Recently, the reporter came to Caohu Town, Tumushuke City, Xinjiang, to explore the practical path of the protection of the rights and interests of the elderly in Xinjiang, taking part in the "Human Rights Action in China" themed interview activity.

At present, there are 2654 permanent residents in Baiyang Community of Caohu Town, of which one fifth are retired elderly and 32 are widowed and alone elderly. Solving the problem of old-age care has become one of the main tasks here.
 

Aunt Ren, a retiree from Baiyang Community, is practicing calligraphy. (Photographed by Zhao Jiale, China Human Rights Network)

In the calligraphy room of Baiyang Community, the reporter met Aunt Ren, who is 65 years old this year. "I usually like to dance in the square, and I also come here to practice calligraphy. I have a very happy life." After retirement, Aunt Ren picked up her childhood calligraphy hobby again and became a regular visitor here.

In recent years, Baiyang Community has established nearly ten activity rooms, including reading room, stone studio, sand painting room, dance room, etc., providing leisure and entertainment places for the elderly.

Subsequently, the reporter followed the community staff to the Yuekang Social Welfare Institute. At the activity center of the welfare home, the reporter saw an old man practicing shooting. The nurse beside him said: "The old man is 86 years old, and he will come to play after dinner every day."

The old man told the reporter: "I went to Beijing to have an operation, and I couldn't eat or walk for three months. Now I feel like I have lived a new life in retrospect... I was very happy here."

A nurse from Yuekang Social Welfare Institute is helping the elderly with rehabilitation training. (Photographed by Zhao Jiale, China Human Rights Network)

"Our welfare home has chess and card room, reading room, infirmary, KTV singing room, etc. Now there are 138 elderly people here. In addition to taking care of their lives, we also provide psychological comfort, enjoyment services, medical care, emergency assistance and other services." Zhao Yinghui, the head of Yuekang Social Welfare Institute, said, "Let the elderly have a place to live, a place to live, and a place to enjoy their old age here. Our greatest happiness is to watch the elderly go from being unable to walk to being able to walk, and then slowly run, and get better and better under our care and encouragement."

Aunt Tu, 82, is having lunch in the elderly canteen. (Photographed by Zhao Jiale, China Human Rights Network)

At lunch time, the reporter followed Xue Hui, the secretary of the Party branch of Baiyang Community, to the elderly canteen located on the street. It is reported that the canteen for the elderly was established by the government and operated by the community. It will be officially opened in April 2022. It can accommodate 60 people to eat. The purpose of the canteen is to make the elderly eat happily, safely and healthily.

"Twelve yuan is enough for a meal, so you can add more!" Aunt Tu, who is 82 years old, has been eating in the elderly canteen for two years

The National Human Rights Action Plan (2021-2025) points out that we should improve the level of protection of the rights and interests of the elderly, and achieve a sense of security, dependency, happiness and action for the elderly. From community construction to convenience services, from social welfare homes to canteens for the elderly, the Baiyang Community in Caohu Town firmly supports the steady happiness of the elderly with love and enthusiasm.