The general office of the State Council released a circular on Dec 31 to promote the healthy development of elderly and child care services.

The provincial government shall incorporate elderly and child care into the national economic and social development plan and promote it in an overall way, the circular said, adding that a special implementation schedule for the 14th Five-Year Plan of elderly and child care should be formulated.

It also said elderly and child care facilities should be planned, constructed and delivered when building new residential communities.

The government must strengthen its role in improving the basic elderly care system. Efforts should be made to explore the possibilities of setting up training spots in areas that have been lifted out of poverty and urban areas where a floating population gathers to provide centralized child care, parenting guidance and care training.

Grassroots forces like neighborhood and village committees also can be used to offer elderly and child care services, helping families to improve caring abilities. A regular guidance and supervision mechanism should be established.

According to the document, training and rehabilitation centers affiliated with State-owned enterprises and public institutions will be transformed to provide service for the aged.

The combination of health services and medical services with elderly care services also is encouraged.

Designs of products for the elderly and children should be improved.

Barrier-free facilities in public places should be popularized, and qualified areas are encouraged to equip elevators when renovating old residential communities. Facilities for mothers and babies should be placed in public places, and special seats and green passages should be set up where conditions permit.

The development of real estate projects will be encouraged to fully consider the needs of elderly and child care, the circular added.