Caring for the elderly needs a dedicated approach, and this is routine for the students and faculty members from the school of public administration at Tianjin Vocational Institute. Their selfless service, through internships and voluntary initiatives, represents a regular part of the academic curriculum.

They will participate in voluntary elderly care services at different nursing homes in Tianjin on Friday, coinciding with the Chongyang Festival or Double Ninth Festival, a traditional Chinese festival to show respect, love and support for the elderly.

The festival falls on the ninth day of the ninth Chinese lunar month every year.

Zuo Chunyu, deputy dean of the school, said, "We have cooperation agreements with many leading enterprises in the elderly care industry."

A recent report by the Ministry of Civil Affairs revealed that there are approximately 35 million elderly people with diminished self-care abilities in China, constituting 11.6 percent of the elderly population.

Projections indicate that by 2035, that figure will rise to 46 million and surge to around 58 million by 2050.

Wang Kun, the school's dean, envisions that emerging professions in specialized fields with promising market potential will shape the future of the elderly care industry and bolster the "silver hair" economy.

"These roles may include professional lifestyle managers enhancing the well-being of the elderly or rehabilitation designers specializing in aiding elderly individuals," he said.

"These high-value professions will elevate the income levels of elderly care professionals, mitigate industry challenges such as low wages and high pressures, attract more young talent to the field, enhance industry appeal, retain skilled technical experts and empower a new generation of professionals dedicated to elderly well-being."

In 2010, the vocational institute was among the first vocational institutions in China to introduce a major in elderly care.

Over the years, the institute has also established the nation's first undergraduate program in elderly care, fostering a professional educational consortium encompassing government, industry and academia.

The institute has contributed over 500 graduates to Tianjin's elderly care industry, with many of them emerging as top-tier professionals in both Tianjin and across China.

One standout success story is Li Lulu, 32, recipient of the Tianjin Talented Skill Professional award. She ascended to the position of deputy head at Tianjin Kangning Jinyuan Elderly Care Service Co, a State-owned facility, becoming the youngest head of the country's elderly care centers.

Her whole professional life has been devoted to caring for the elderly which, according to her, makes her life more meaningful.

The seniors she has cared for include those experiencing either diminished self-care abilities or cognitive decline, which means they can often be disheveled and land in unsanitary conditions.

"I do not hesitate and immediately clean them up," Li said.

"Seeing them lying clean and comfortably in bed, and even holding your hand and saying 'thank you' are probably the most unforgettable memories I've ever had, also this is what has driven me this far on this career path."