The first emergency residence for the elderly in Guangzhou has opened in Donghu Sub-district Office in Donshan District.

Elderly victims of natural disasters, those who are ill or just feeling lonely may get help at the emergency residence, Monday's Yangcheng Evening News reported.

The emergency residence, known as the "starlight old people's residence" is in the Starlight Old People's Home in Donghu Sub-district Office. The residence can accommodate four men and four women, each room equipped with air-conditioners and medicine kits.

The emergency residence is mainly for healthy old people who can take care of themselves. When encountering hot or cold weather or typhoons, and with no family members to look after, the old people can apply for residence.

The office has distributed contact cards to 500 elderly people in the community.

In addition to bad weather, old people who live alone are also qualified to take advantage of the center. The aid center can look after people who live alone and provide day care for those who are alone during the day when their families are at work. Long-term lone residents can go to an old folks' home, said Zhang Wensheng, director of the Donghu office.

The aid center is financed by a special appropriation from the government's "starlight plan".

(Shenzhen Daily November 2, 2004)