A privately run nursing home in Hangzhou, east China’s Zhejiang Province, recently went viral when the news broke that it was providing rental services for young people, who in return are required to do voluntary work for elderly residents.

To date, 14 young people have been approved to live in the nursing home. Each of them only needs to pay 300 yuan (about $43.9) per month to rent a room in return for at least 20 hours of voluntary work.

Many believe that this way, the elderly get to experience new things from the young lodgers. The young, in return, can cut living costs while gaining rich life experience from the elderly.

Aside from this, the nursing home can also improve care services while making full use of its vacant rooms.

With the issue of a growing aging population in China, the country’s elderly care service industry must develop rapidly. Care for the elderly calls for a more humanized approach than merely meeting their material needs.

By providing cheap rental services for younger generations and encouraging them to do voluntary work for the elderly, the care home has created a solution to the problem of improving its care service.

The rent is far below the average price of about 2,000 yuan for a similar room in the area, said Wang Kai, a director of the nursing home. He added that the aim is to attract young people to bring interest and passion into the lives of the older generation, through such methods as teaching calligraphy and music, talking with them and taking part in service activities at the home.

The nursing home interviews all applicants to pick out those willing to help the elderly, rather than those who are just looking for a good deal on rent, Wang noted.

Yang Yunhai, aged 29, is one of the nursing homes new recruits. He helps teach his new elderly friends drawing and calligraphy, and some of them share their work with family members on social media.

Beyond that, Yang also talks with residents at the home, who often share life experiences with him and give him advice when he faces problems.

Yang added that he will apply for an extension of his contract when it expires, as he wants to continue living at the home.