Care homes for the elderly, Shanghai's novel exploration in providing services for the elderly in line with its distinctiveness as a megapolis, have been popular among seniors, and such facilities will be expanded throughout the municipality in two years.

A total of 22 such multifunctional care homes have been in service so far, Shi Guanghui, deputy mayor of Shanghai, told a media briefing on Wednesday. They are built from existing community facilities or public properties that are not in use, and each is equipped with 10 to 40-plus beds for short-term stay or care services in the daytime.

"Such care homes are different from nursing homes, as they are smaller and target only seniors in the community, with priority for those who have lost the ability to take care of themselves or have low family income," he said.

"These establishments are very popular among the elderly as they can enjoy professional care services without the need to leave the community, and it's convenient for family to visit," Shi said, adding that many of the facilities have been fully booked and some seniors are on the waiting list.

In 2017, at least one such care home will be available in each sub-district.

Shanghai is the country's first city to have an advanced aging population. The number of registered Shanghai permanent residents age 60 and older hit 4.13 million last year and will rise to 5.3 million by 2020, according to the Shanghai Civil Affairs Bureau.

zhouwenting@chinadaily.com.cn