Inspirational 'key' carer serves community elders in Hubei

WUHAN — Yu Wenying, a household name in her community in Central China's Hubei province, is easily recognizable by the jingling keys at her waist, with each one belonging to an elderly resident she cares for.

To the seniors in the Jianshelu community in Huangshi city, Yu is more than a neighbor. Instead, they view her as a family member. For nearly two decades, the 65-year-old has dedicated herself to helping the elderly, earning their trust and the affectionate nickname Gu Niang, which means "daughter" in the local dialect.

Yu's journey began when she started assisting her neighbor, Zhang Meiyu, an elderly woman who suffered multiple strokes. As Zhang's health declined, her son struggled to care for her alone. In 2006, Yu then volunteered to assist with bathing, medication, laundry, cooking and house cleaning.