A Study of Elderly Home Services Provided by Housekeeping Companies Changchun, China as Subject of Study

Abstract

From 9th November to 4th December, 2009, we conducted interviews and investigations with regard to the twenty-two housekeeping companies in Changchun. The research purpose of this article is to clarify the present condition of services for the elderly provided by the housekeeping companies.The results are as follows: The range of elderly services includes catering services featuring balanced-nutrition, changing of bed linen, general washing and cleaning, shopping assistance, monitoring of the indoor environment especially the temperature, humidity, ventilation and so forth. In addition, there were also services such as accompanying the elderly on outings, dining assistance, bathing, massages, rehabilitation, treatment of physical injuries, taking body temperature, blood pressure and pulse, emergency treatment and counselling services. There were 892 cases of elderly people utilizing the services provided, which accounted for 14.3% of all the services provided by the housekeeping companies. Moreover, services for the elderly make up 6-30% of all services provided by the twenty-two housekeeping companies.What is more, there is no standard service charge. Instead, charges can be adjusted and negotiated by the service provider and the customer based on the service provider’s qualifications, training certificates, experience and ability.