82-year-old man suffers sudden stroke at retirement care center, son speaks out: Father felt unwell during his stay at the care facility but pushed through and rode a public bus for over two hours to get to the hospital

In recent years, the new elderly care model of “health and leisure travel” has quietly emerged among the “silver-haired” generation. Mr. Shen from Shanghai’s Shen family, whose father is 82 years old, has heard about various health and wellness institutions through his social circle of old friends. In September 2025, on the recommendation of others, Mr. Shen’s father visited a health and wellness facility called “Gu Yin Travel & Care” inside a hotel in Jiangzhen West Street, Pudong New Area, and on September 30th, signed a health and leisure travel agreement.

Mr. Shen told reporters that his father’s actions were kept secret from him. The travel agreement was for 20,000 yuan, covering 200 days of stay. As a result, Mr. Shen’s father stayed at this health and wellness center for several days. The incident occurred on January 31st of this year.

That evening, Mr. Shen suddenly received a call from Guli Hospital on Miaopu Road in Pudong, informing him that his father had suffered an acute cerebral infarction and was being rescued in the hospital. After several days of treatment, Mr. Shen’s father regained some consciousness and was able to recognize him. Through his father’s intermittent recounting, Mr. Shen learned that during the health and wellness process, his father felt unwell but forced himself to sit on a bus for over two hours to reach the hospital, where he was diagnosed with an acute cerebral infarction.

Mr. Shen’s father suffers from heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and other health issues. His physical condition is not good. Mr. Shen questioned whether the wellness center should have conducted a basic health assessment before promoting beds to the elderly. However, the “contract terms” only exclude elderly with infectious diseases, mental illnesses, or those unable to care for themselves; other health conditions are considered to have lower thresholds.

After investigation, it was found that Mr. Shen’s father actually stayed for 55 days, with 145 days remaining. Mr. Shen then requested a refund, but negotiations reached an impasse. The other party insisted that according to the agreement, if the party in breach (the elderly) violated the contract, a 30% penalty of the total bed fee would be deducted, and the days already used (including free days) must be paid at the standard rate for the base room.

We contacted the Shanghai Pudong New Area Zhuhai Gu Yin Travel & Elderly Care Service Center. Staff explained that 20,000 yuan for 200 days averages only 100 yuan per day, including three meals, but this price does not include caregiver services. They also stated that Mr. Shen’s father checked out normally on the day of the incident, and the staff were unaware of his health issues. After intervention by the police and mediation by a people’s mediator and lawyer, both parties signed a “People’s Mediation Agreement,” and “Gu Yin” refunded 12,000 yuan.

Source: Xinmin Evening News