The ninth national forum on the church's approach to elderly-care was held in Nanping, Fujian, on July 5 to 7 with the presidents and co-workers from the church nursing homes in the 19 provinces around China - including Shanghai, Beijing, Shandong, Xinjiang and Zhejiang - in attendance.
Several representatives addressed their colleagues through speeches during the opening ceremony.
Rev. Kan Baoping, the general secretary of CCC, shared that the churches running the homes for the aged becomes a good witness for the church in society. He hopes that the church may gain more and develop a deeper understanding in elderly care through the forum and improve running the nursing homes better as a contribution of the church to society.
An official of the provincial religious authority said that Buddhism and Christianity work more in elderly care than the other three religions in the province while there's still a lot of inadequacy in the religions' work.
He mentioned that he once visited the senior homes run by the churches in Hong Kong and found them to be very good. The best nursing homes in US and Canada are owned by churches or individuals.
He stated that the government is making efforts to give more space for policies to help churches assisting in elderly care.
Aside from these officials, two social work teachers from the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council explained on the topics regarding the core of aging care and the common mental disease of seniors. The attendants learnt the various brain exercises they can do for their patients and practice it. Besides, the discussion and sharing part on it is conducted.
Earlier in April 7, the CCC&TSPM held the second communication meeting for the presidents of Chrisitan nursing homes in Nanping, Fujian. Meanwhile, the second Christian home for the aged in Nanping opened in the same period.
In recent years, more churches are aware of the necessity to provide elderly care in their communities. However, a variety of problems exist in church's aged home, such as problems on funds, management, profession of workers.
