(File photo)

A nursing home in Suzhou, Jiangsu province has instituted a financial incentive system to encourage family members of its residents to visit more frequently.

Those who visit their family members at the nursing home more than 30 times in a period of two months will be rewarded with a coupon worth 200 RMB, which can be used toward nursing home expenses. Those who visit their family members over 20 times in two months will receive a 100-RMB coupon, and those who visit more than 10 times will be given 50 RMB, according to the Fuxing Rest Home in Suzhou.

At its first awards ceremony, the nursing home gave out more than 30,000 RMB to 227 family members, reported Yangtze Evening Post.

According to the home's registration record, the number of visitors increased drastically after the rewards policy went into effect. Prior to the policy, only 38 people visited their family members every day, while 134 family members visited zero times within two months. However, 129 people visited more than 30 times after details of the new policy were publicized.

“While rest homes can help take care of senior citizens while their family members are busy at work, [their existence] does not mean that younger generations should always postpone visiting. Too often people regret their absence from parents only after the parents pass away,” said Wei Mouwen, director of the home. A total of 512 people currently live in the nursing home, where the average resident age is 81.

The policy has been warmly received by netizens. On a vote on Sina Weibo, some 56.8 percent of voters said they supported the system as a reminder to family members, while 39.7 percent said they believe filial piety is basic obligation, requiring no reward. Over 9,600 netizens have voted as of press time.