Zhenhai community serves seniors with cognitive impairments

Ximen Community in Zhenhai district, Ningbo has emerged as a pioneer in creating dementia-friendly environments.

Collaborating with the Zhaobaoshan Street Health Service Center and professional service organizations, Ximen Community is spearheading the development of care systems serving seniors with cognitive impairments. The services, ranging from dementia testing to practical home-based care guidance, aim to enhance quality of life for seniors and create a warm, loving, and harmonious atmosphere for growing old.

"Seniors with cognitive impairments face invisible challenges due to communication barriers," said Fang Xiaoting, Party secretary of the community, "Caring for the elderly is also a burden on families. The elderly now account for 29 percent of our community. It is urgent that we address these problems."

A "Memory Station" was set up in the community, where a variety of vintage items, including black-and-white televisions, old record players, bicycles, and sewing machines, are displayed. A 100-meter-long "Memory Street" was also built, recreating scenes from past decades, including the Ximen Photography Studio, state-run grocery stores, and post offices. They serve as nostalgic retreats for elderly residents, helping them reconnect with cherished memories of the past.

Community staff help seniors strengthen their cognitive skills through non-pharmacological methods such as memory training and right-brain exercises.

The community has also empowered families with cognitively-impaired seniors. Based on initial testing, Ximen Community arranges ongoing assessments by family doctors and practical training sessions conducted by professional caregivers.

"It reduces our burden," said a family member of an elderly resident with cognitive impairments.