Shanghai's Pudong New Area has set up a 260-member team to nurse 18,000 elderly people who live alone, according to a press release at a conference held by the United Nations Population Fund yesterday.

Elderly people who can't care themselves will receive specialized care from the team, including an emergency call system.

Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine as well as other 17 bodies has promised to assist old people living alone.

Each assistant will look after up to 50 old people, according to the district's target in the 11th Five Year Plan.

The conference reported the survey result on the project of helping elderly Chinese which was initiated by the United Nation Population Fund.

Lin Bengong, standing vice director of National Aging Problem Office, and officials from the United Nation Population Fund and Help Age International attended the conference.

(Source: www.shamghai.gov.cn )