In order to meet the needs of short-term care for the elderly when live-in caregivers return their hometowns for the holidays, the need for short-term professional nursing services after hospital discharge, and the need of respite services for family caregivers of the elderly with disability, Shanghai Civil Affairs Bureau launched the "short-term care for the elderly" service project during the Spring Festival holidays. It is meant to help families with no intention for a long stay at elderly care institutions to solve their urgent problems.

At present, Shanghai Civil Affairs Bureau has selected a number of high-quality elderly care institutions (including elderly care homes) across the city, which provide daily care, nutritional meals, rehabilitation care, medical services, safety protection, and recreational activities etc. for the elderly, as well as special services based on the characteristics of the institutions.