Mission Unlock | Ep 4: Why did Grandma hide her call button?

Editor's Note:

"Mission Unlock" uses real stories and everyday scenes to explain the development logic behind China's 15th Five-Year Plan. Through stories of industry, people and lived experience, it offers global audiences a more relatable, accessible look at China's next stage of development.

In Episode 4 of "Mission Unlock," Mina is assigned to reactivate an eldercare service node after the system detects unusual health conditions in an older woman living alone whose emergency call device has gone unused for a long time.

When Mina investigates, she finds that the problem is not that the woman doesn't know how to use the device or doesn't need support. It's that she worries about burdening her family and doesn't want to be seen as someone who can no longer manage her own life.

The experience helps Mina realize that age-friendly services go far beyond health monitoring and emergency assistance. They should offer more accessible, personalized and thoughtful solutions that address older people's diverse needs — from health consultations and meal services to emotional companionship, cultural activities and social participation — helping them live safer, more convenient and more fulfilling lives.

The outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) for national economic and social development calls for efforts to enrich the lives of older people, vigorously develop the silver economy and expand the supply of age-friendly products and eldercare services.

True age-friendly development is not only about providing older people with care and protection. It is about enabling them to receive support with dignity, stay connected with their communities and continue pursuing a fulfilling life in their later years.