Power upgrades bring safer, more comfortable homes to rural elderly

State Grid Shaoxing Power Supply Company completed senior-friendly renovations on 35 low-income and near-low-income elderly households on Oct 25 under its "Warm Light, Cozy Home" public welfare initiative.

The project was carried out with the Shaoxing Electrician Lu Shifu Light Volunteer Service Center. It used the company’s electrical expertise to improve safety and daily living conditions.

Many elderly residents in mountainous villages live alone or in empty-nest households in old wooden homes. Aging wiring and outdated kitchens and bathrooms pose serious safety risks.

Since the project began, volunteers have followed a customized approach, visiting each household to assess needs and design plans focused on electrical safety and living environment improvements.

The "Warm Light" part targets fire safety in wooden houses. Workers replace aged cables, standardize household wiring, and upgrade old lighting fixtures, switches and safety sockets, reducing risks from unauthorized connections and damaged lines.

For eligible households, the project piloted rooftop photovoltaic systems, allowing surplus power to be sold to the grid and generating stable solar income. For elderly residents with limited mobility, it strengthened line protection and added clear signs.

The "Cozy Home" part addresses daily living needs. It involves repairing damaged doors and gates, upgrading kitchens and bathrooms, and making barrier-free modifications to homes.

These include sturdy entrance doors, cooking appliances, and storage cabinets, indoor toilets with simple septic tanks where qualified, anti-slip handrails at entrances and in bathrooms, and care beds and mobility aids as needed.

Next, the volunteer service center will visit all renovated households to inspect electrical systems and facility use, summarize project experience and adaptation models, and expand coverage so more elderly households in need can benefit.