[A City for All] When Aging Meets Opportunity: Rethinking Urban Life for Seniors

Shanghai, with one in three residents over 60, is turning aging into a catalyst. From dedicated stores to reimagined malls, it's showing how designing for seniors can reshape urban life for all.

More than just a place to shop

"Want to try a small stair-climbing machine as soon as possible." "A dancing companion robot," "Old-fashioned thermos," "Disposable single bed sheets,"...

In a senior-focused "silver-haired store" in Putuo District, a white cylindrical pillar stands out, covered with sticky notes listing customer wishes.

These scattered requests reflect a clear reality. By the end of 2025, Shanghai had nearly 5.84 million residents aged 60 and above, accounting for 37.6 percent of the total population. That means roughly one in every three residents is a senior citizen.

The store's offerings cover various aspects of daily living, mobility, and rehabilitation, ranging from clothing tailored to older bodies to wheelchairs, exoskeleton aids, and model rooms showcasing elder-friendly home renovations. Its location near Changfeng Park offers a spacious plaza where seniors can freely test mobility aids like wheelchairs.

Ma Zhiwen, the store manager, said that since its opening at the end of December last year, the store generated 420,000 yuan (US$60,500) in sales within the first 20 days, with total expected revenue, including renovation payments, reaching 1.48 million yuan.

Luan Xiulan, 65, bought three sweaters, a pair of trousers, and some socks. She is also interested in a shower stool and plans to measure the space at home before coming back to buy one.

Luan, who lives in the southeastern Nanhui District, made a special trip that morning with her husband, taking four subway rides and a bus to reach the store in the northwest.

"Clothing for seniors is overpriced elsewhere, and we're not adept at bargaining. This store is designed specifically for us, so we trust it," she said.

Huang Linian, 83, lives nearby. Though her bathroom has undergone elder-friendly renovations, a threshold remains at the shower. She came specifically to check out the store's model bathroom to see if the floor can be leveled.

"I'm going to ask my husband to come and see it too. I hope this store keeps improving," she said.

Manager Ma explained that as the city develops and incomes rise, many seniors want to plan better for their homes and later years.

However, sales are not the sole focus of the store, which is guided by the city's civil affairs bureau and the council for the promotion of international trade. "Our greater mission is to share good aging concepts and inform seniors about various city policies that benefit them," Ma said.

The store displays elder-friendly renovation and rehabilitation aid rental policies. Home modification subsidies for seniors can reach 5,000 yuan. Rent electric nursing beds and oxygen machines instead of buying them. Staff help seniors apply for online rentals with personalized consultations.

For seniors in good health, the store also offers items like wigs and musical instruments to support their self-image and entertainment needs.

Ma sees seniors not merely as a vulnerable group to protect, but as a diverse group with diverse and growing demands. Going forward, products and services should adopt an all-age design mindset.

A win for all

About five kilometers north of the silver store, Zhenru UniPark Max shopping mall has become a new playground for many seniors. The mall hosts one or two weekly salons for seniors. Activities range from handicrafts, singing, and movies to video gaming.

Zhu Mei, 73, has fallen in love with the place after attending several sessions. "Many of the activities are new to us. It feels like we're young again. It truly brings joy," she said.

Sixty-two-year-old Chen Zhihua highlights the practical nature of the salons. The courses also include practical digital skills, teaching seniors how to vlog and order prescriptions using their phones. "They teach us everything, helping us keep up with the times," she said.

Yang Xiaomeng, general manager of the mall, said that in 2025, the number of customers aged 60 and over increased by 14 percent year-on-year, with more than 25 percent making repeat purchases. Spending by seniors helped boost the mall's revenue by 20 percent compared to the previous year.

Yang analyzed that the salon activities meet seniors' social and emotional needs while fostering their trust in the mall. "The mall is evolving from a simple shopping venue into an emotional haven for seniors, where spending becomes part of a rewarding and enjoyable relationship," she said.

The benefits extend beyond the mall. For participants like Chen, an active social life also eases the minds of their adult children. "He's busy at work," Chen said of her son. "As long as we're lively and out having fun, it means we're healthy, and he's not worried."

Space, technology, and accessibility

Despite some progress, challenges remain. Luan, the 65-year-old customer, noted that physical spaces like the silver-haired store remain scarce, and traveling from suburban areas can be inconvenient.

The range of available products also needs to expand, she added. For instance, there is strong demand for healthy and safe food, yet many seniors fall victim to scams due to a lack of trusted sources.

"The silver market has huge potential if managed well," she said.

Ma Peizhen, 80, accompanied by her daughter, tried out a wearable exoskeleton at the senior-friendly store. Having trouble walking, she found the device useful yet tricky to don and operate alone.

"It would be far better if it were simplified for seniors to use independently," she said.

Shanghai is addressing these needs on multiple fronts. For seniors with mobility challenges, nursing homes offer day-care services. Community clinics provide home medication delivery and medical care.

In Putuo District alone, six malls, including Zhenru UniPark Max, have been designated "Senior-Friendly Malls." To qualify, malls must comply with national accessibility standards and offer dedicated senior rest areas, free drinking water, wheelchair loans, blood pressure monitoring, and medical service points equipped with emergency devices.

Policy support is strong too. The city has launched a 2024-2027 plan to promote innovation and growth in elderly care technology and related industries.

In June last year, the Shanghai Elderly Care Technology Industrial Park officially opened in Minhang District, focusing on health monitoring, life assistance, and rehabilitation care sectors.

Bai Le, manager of the park, told Shanghai Daily that nearly 70 companies have registered, with more than 20 currently operating on site. Last year, the park partnered with 15 nursing homes to help these companies better understand real user needs and refine their products accordingly.

Bai noted that the elderly-care technology industry is still in its early stages. Initial costs, such as mold-making, keep product prices relatively high.

"But as the industry matures and manufacturing costs decline, products will become more affordable and widely accessible," he said.