East China's metropolis Shanghai is stepping up its efforts to deploy more advanced technologies in an increasing number of smart nursing homes to provide all-day care to elders typically exposed to various health risks.
Home to over 70 smart nursing homes so far, Shanghai, with a relatively larger share of aging population compared with other Chinese cities, now aims to have at least 100 smart nursing homes by the end of this year.
The rapid development of China's artificial intelligence (AI) technology and its robotics sector have been encouraging more Chinese cities to innovate the elderly care industry.
Currently, a growing number of nursing homes are upgrading their services with advanced technologies and the landscape of the whole industry is changing as well, with caregivers now focusing on providing the essential services to elders, which are unlikely to be replaced by machines in the short term.
At a smart nursing home in Shanghai, a type of intelligent mattress has been collecting the senior residents' health data like sleep quality and heart rate. The data can be shared in real time with their relatives so that they will be informed of the elder's health conditions in a timely manner.
The caregivers at the nursing home can also make targeted plans for their senior customers with the help of the collected data that is timely displayed on a giant screen.
"The health data of all the 199 elders on this floor is displayed on this screen and we can see immediately if they are in good status or if they are exposed to some health risks. Once any alarming data is detected, we can manage the situation as soon as possible," said Gao Wanjie, operations manager of the smart nursing home.
The washrooms at the nursing home are also carefully designed to meet the needs of the residents. The lights, which are equipped with motion sensors, can alert caregivers if a senior remains motionless for a long period of time or falls accidentally.
"I have heart disease and if I suffer a heart attack, the medical staff can come to my aid immediately. I think the light helps us a lot," said Shen Yiying, one of the nursing home's senior residents.
"The advanced technologies free our caregivers from non-essential administrative burdens so that they can spend more time with the elders. And this is our fundamental purpose of adopting this smart system. All we want is to better serve the elders," said Gao.
Technologies make elderly care services smarter at Shanghai's nursing homes
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
