As the aging population continues to grow, the challenge of facilitating easier access to medical care for elderly individuals has emerged as a significant concern. On October 23, reports indicated that Shanghai is exploring a “government + market + public welfare” model to enhance the development of professional and scalable medical accompaniment services.
In the Yangpu District of Shanghai, a pioneering elder medical accompaniment service system has been introduced, launching the Yangpu Accompaniment Service Alliance. The city has also issued two important group standards: the “Accompaniment Service Norms” and the “Guidelines for Accompaniment Practitioners.” This initiative aims to assist elderly individuals in attending medical appointments with the support of trained accompaniment practitioners, addressing the challenges faced by those, especially seniors living alone.
On the same day, a training class for accompaniment practitioners opened in Yangpu District. Local authorities are actively engaging the community, expanding networks, and pushing public sector initiatives. Enterprises with state funding backgrounds are taking on social responsibilities by introducing various senior-friendly activities. Together with relevant platforms, hospitals, elderly funds, vocational colleges, insurance companies, and banks, the civil affairs department is creating a comprehensive ecosystem that integrates market services, medical resources, skills training, financial support, and industry guidance for medical accompaniment.
The medical accompaniment market in Yangpu is currently in a phase of rapid development, achieving several early milestones. Through collaborative models, related platforms and insurance companies are providing coverage for both accompaniment practitioners and the elderly, ensuring peace of mind for all involved. Additionally, measures are being implemented to enhance oversight, requiring practitioners to document key service moments to maintain accountability throughout the process. According to the civil affairs bureau in Yangpu, there are three categories of accompaniment practitioners: platform practitioners, those from elderly care institutions, and independent practitioners.
Becoming a qualified accompaniment practitioner requires a range of specialized knowledge, including familiarity with medical procedures and regulations, as well as the specific pathways for different health conditions. As the community-based elder care initiative progresses, officials have identified that the difficulties high-aged seniors face in accessing healthcare need urgent solutions, particularly the accelerated training of accompaniment practitioners to enhance their skills. The training class launched recently will run for four and a half days, covering essential medical knowledge, basic technical applications, and interpretations of group standards. Approximately 130 participants, including freelancers from 12 neighborhoods, caregivers from 67 elderly care institutions, and employees from elder service enterprises, are involved. Those who successfully complete the training will receive a “Shanghai Elderly Service Accompaniment Practitioner” certification issued by the Shanghai Association for Elderly Services and Aging Industry, paving the way for employment opportunities. These individuals will comprise the first cohort of homegrown accompaniment practitioners in Yangpu.
Government officials aim to further standardize accompaniment practices through these training programs, actively addressing the urgent needs of elderly individuals seeking medical assistance, protecting their legal rights, and promoting a closer integration of healthcare and elder care. This initiative seeks to enhance the roles of a responsive government and an effective market, guiding the sustained, healthy development of accompaniment services in Shanghai.
