'Purple Ribbon' Campaign Provides Free Medical Services for the Elderly

A charity event by the name of "Purple Ribbon," named after the campaign's official symbol, kicked off in Beijing on January 5 with the aim of providing free rehabilitation services and medical treatment for the city's elderly.

Initially announced before the eve of Double Ninth Festival (also known as Senior's Day, which falls on the ninth day of the ninth month in the Chinese lunar calendar) in 2014, the charity made sure on that day to have its theme resonate loudly — that of showing filial affection toward the elderly.

During the campaign organized by a company called Pinetree Care Group Limited, headquartered in Hong Kong, purple ribbons were worn to raise people's awareness for taking care of the elderly, especially of those who are physically or mentally disabled. Meanwhile, the color purple, which in Chinese color connotation ties in with people's spiritual fulfillment, represents the notion of respect and care for others, especially for the elderly.

Statistics compiled by the China Research Center on Ageing showed that with China's population still steadily increasing in age, the proportion in both rural and urban areas of elderly people in need of undergoing medical treatment or rehabilitation services has increased to 36.5 percent. Taking Beijing as an example, in 2014 there were 3.2 million elderly over the age of 60 and 540,000 of at least 80 years old, with proportions of 23 percent and 4 percent of the city's total population respectively.

The statistics also indicated that more than 37 million elderly experienced a partial disability or total permanent disability (TPD) due to sickness or injury.

To help alleviate the severity of the above-mentioned situation, the charity event was formally launched on January 5 with a special reserve fund of 6 million yuan (U.S. $965,375), to provide financial support for the elderly who have physical disabilities or mental disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson's disease.

During the event, daily necessity products, rehabilitation services and medical treatment were supplied by volunteers of the "Purple Ribbon." Information and tips on nursing and daily care were also provided to the relatives of the elderly, to help ensure that the elderly receive better overall care even from their loved ones.

Furthermore, by cooperating with local hospitals in Beijing, the charity event also adopted a new on-site door-to-door medical service for the elderly. Sponsored by the Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology Division of Peking Union Medical College Hospital, the event also offered expert phone consultation services for elderly-related health issues as well as easy access to medical services.

According to the official estimations publicized on January 5 by the charity organizations involved in the campaign, more than 1,500 elderly will have benefited from their volunteer services before the start of the upcoming Chinese Spring Festival, which begins officially on February 19.

(Source: yuedu163.com/Translated and edited by Women of China)