Photo shows senior citizens from a community in Tianjin learn to use smart devices to monitor their health. [Photo/Xinhua]

They are also able to set up an "electronic fence" for aged parents suffering from Alzheimer's disease. By preliminarily setting up the reminder time and their routine living areas, users receive text messages or emails if their amnesiac parents go out of an appointed area. The watch makes a sound to warn the elderly people if they leave pre-set safe areas.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics, by the end of 2018, the total number of Chinese seniors aged 60 and above reached 249.49 million, and it is expected to surpass 300 million in 2025.

Nursing homes provide only three beds for every 100 senior citizens in the country. The supply of elderly-care facilities lags far behind the demand.

In 2018, the Ministry of Civil Affairs formulated a plan to promote the applications of emerging technologies such as the Internet, Internet of Things, and artificial intelligence in elderly care service.

In Hangzhou, capital of east China's Zhejiang Province, the government has handed out 116,000 calling devices with a red button and a green button, which make emergency calls or request daily service such as garbage collecting and in home massage therapy.

Over 84 percent of aged people require community-based services, according to a report from China's aging association in April.

Wang Shujie, president of the Tianjin Silver Industry Association, said the most important thing was to provide high-quality elderly-care services in line with the senior citizens' living habits and individual needs. Practical, usable and easy-to-use technology are optimal for them.

"Smart devices and advanced intelligent technology bring more convenience and safety to elderly people, but family care is irreplaceable and offers them more happiness," Wang said.