Shanghai announced on June 26 the launch of a medical companion service for all residents aged 60 and above, aimed at assisting seniors throughout the medical treatment process.

The service provides trained companions who accompany elderly individuals to healthcare facilities, help them navigate medical procedures, facilitate communication with healthcare providers, offer psychological support, and remind them to take prescribed medications.

According to the Shanghai Municipal Civil Affairs Bureau, the service is designed to address tasks that seniors may find difficult to manage on their own throughout their medical visits.

Shanghai has one of the oldest populations in China. Official data show that by the end of 2025, the city had 5.84 million residents aged 60 and above, accounting for nearly 38 percent of the registered permanent population. The number of seniors aged 80 and above increased to 895,600 from 860,000 in the previous year, underscoring the city’s continuing demographic shift toward an aging population.

Meanwhile, a growing proportion of these elderly residents have only one child, reflecting the long-term impact of China’s former one-child policy.

Under the new policy, the companion service will be provided by senior care institutions and organizations specializing in medical companionship for older adults. Each district's civil affairs bureau will publish a list of certified providers, with the number of participating organizations expected to grow as demand increases.

The policy also requires service providers to set reasonable prices and clearly disclose their services, fees, and pricing standards. Districts are encouraged to include the companion service in elderly care subsidy programs for low-income seniors.

Companions must complete standardized training, acquire foundational knowledge of healthcare and elder care, and obtain a specialized vocational competency certificate. The civil affairs bureau particularly welcomes applicants with backgrounds or experience in nursing, healthcare, rehabilitation, pharmacy, and social work.