Counties, county-level cities and districts under the administration of the prefecture-level city of Lishui – located in East China's Zhejiang province – are all located in mountainous areas and with continued increases in the numbers of migrant workers, villages in mountains are being hollowed out and the population is ageing.

According to official statistics, in 2020, the elderly population – defined as 60 years old and above – of the city's rural and urban areas was 20.6 percent and 19.8 percent, respectively.

To cope with associated eldercare problems and provide a better living environment for its senior residents, Lishui has rolled out a medium and long-term blueprint.

Under the plan, by 2025 the participation rate of basic medical security for the registered population will have exceeded 99 percent, the coverage rate of township (sub-district) home-based care service centers will have reached 100 percent and average life expectancy is expected to increase to 81.5 years.

It is projected that by 2050, the centralized support rate for the elderly who cannot take care of themselves will have reached 100 percent.