Longgang village in Baiyun district has been named a national model for senior-friendly communities for 2025-26 by the China National Committee on Aging, becoming the fourth community in the district to receive the honor.

Longgang is a rural village with 2,100 registered residents aged 60 and above. Many young adults from the village work elsewhere, leaving behind elderly residents who have a variety of needs. The village has focused on integrating elderly-friendly development into its rural vitalization efforts, creating a livable, healthy, and active model for rural elderly care.

Longgang offers picturesque scenery. [Photo/WeChat account: gz_baiyunfabu]

In terms of infrastructure, the village has built activity centers, neighborhood centers, and senior homes, including Guangdong's first village-level "Happy Age Home," donated by China Construction Bank.

It has invested over 50 million yuan ($7.5 million) in upgrading the living environment, including resurfacing more than 50,000 square meters of roads, adding five village parks and nine public toilets, and installing barrier-free access, rest seats, lighting, and security monitoring.

Rest seats are installed throughout the village for elderly residents. [Photo/WeChat account: gz_baiyunfabu]

For services, the village clinic works with the town health center to offer a "1-yuan medical visit" policy and full family doctor coverage, while a green referral and emergency channel enables minor illnesses to be treated within the village. To assist seniors living alone, there is also a "6-yuan full meal" service that addresses their dining needs.

Culturally, Longgang draws on its local filial piety traditions, incorporating respect for the elderly into its rural governance scoring system. The community has maintained a scholarship fund for over 30 years and regularly celebrates festivals, fostering a caring atmosphere. Seniors are also encouraged to participate in farming, tourism, and cultural activities tied to the village's yellow pear industry.

Elderly residents practice dance together. [Photo/WeChat account: gz_baiyunfabu]