Beijing plans to implement 28 new measures by the end of this year to help the city's seniors overcome smart technology barriers, according to the Municipal Commission of Development and Reform.

The measures will focus on seven major aspects of elderly people's everyday life, such as daily consumption activities, medical services, public services as well as issues concerning emergency situations.

Specifically, Beijing will ramp up efforts to develop more elderly-friendly applications based on the Health Kit mini-program, launch pilot programs which combine property services with elderly care, and roll out home-based old age care services. 

The city also plans to enhance the intelligent capacity of home-based care services, provide senior citizens with greater convenience in booking appointments and settling medical bills, encourage them to participate in cultural and sports activities, and provide them with more training in the use of smart technologies.

In February 2021, Beijing set up a joint-meeting mechanism to enhance digital inclusion for the elderly. A total of 40 out of 52 tasks rolled out last year, including improving web accessibility for older users, have been completed.

To help ease the difficulty faced by senior citizens in accessing their health QR code, the city's economy and information technology authorities have updated the Health Kit app, allowing users to check the status of their children and elderly family members. It has also installed a total of 1,237 smart devices in 480 hospitals, shopping malls and parks across the city which can identify the health code status of elderly citizens via facial or ID recognition after they complete registration.

Online public service providers have also introduced elderly-friendly updates. For example, ride-hailing apps have added "one-click taxi hailing" for elderly users, government service websites have undergone barrier-free adaptations and tourist attractions have been equipped with virtual guides.

Medical appointments have also become more convenient for senior citizens. In addition to expanded online booking channels, elderly patients can schedule appointments in person at medical institutions and pay using cash. The city's commerce authorities are also encouraging enterprises to provide more home-based services for the elderly.

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