An undated photo shows an elderly woman dining at a nursing home in Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang province. [Photo by Sun Yidou/For China Daily]

While senior population growth is placing increasing pressure on health and social systems, Hangzhou Civil Affairs Bureau recently unveiled a plan to introduce the internet to the eldercare sector, local media reported on Aug 14.

The plan, which aims to ensure the older generation has a high quality and convenient life, suggests that a database for the over 60s in the city should be established so as to share information among relevant departments such as public security, medical insurance and health care.

It also proposes allowing the elderly to register with nursing institutions and access eldercare services and activities with only their personal identity cards.

In terms of payment, a designated eldercare account will be added to their Hangzhou citizen cards with which they can pay their bills at canteens or place orders online and enjoy food delivery services.

Integration between nursing institutions and home-based care service resources should also be strengthened to propel the eldercare industry.

Meanwhile, Hangzhou will pilot introducing nursing beds at home where professional staff from nursing institutions can track the physical condition of the elderly through intelligent hardware devices.

By the end of 2018, the registered population aged over 60 in Hangzhou had reached 1.74 million, accounting for 22.53 percent of the total population.