More community care needed for elderly in China
By Channel NewsAsia's East Asia Bureau Chief Maria Siow | Posted: 05 November 2009 0024 hrs

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NINGXIA PROVINCE: In a neighbourhood communal kitchen in Ningxia province, volunteers are busy at work during lunchtime, preparing stir-fried dishes for dozens of senior citizens living alone in an estate.

For 4 yuan or just 50 US cents, those 60 and above can help themselves to a tasty meal. Those with financial difficulties can pay less, while those 80 and above are able to eat for free. The elderly can also drop by the centre to mingle with their peers.

Yan Meilian, vice-director, Zhengmao Community, Ningxia, said: "We're an old neighbourhood with 30 per cent elderly population. Many of them don't have their children nearby. They find it difficult to cook and do household chores. We have volunteers going to their homes to help with their laundry or to wash their blankets."

The neighbourhood also provides free haircuts, bicycle repair and regular physical examinations for the elderly.

Given China's rapid transformation, the traditional concept of the elderly living with their children and extended family has slowly been eroded.

With families living apart in different cities, sometimes in different provinces, the elderly are left to fend for themselves. Many choose to survive on their own, rather than stay in a nursing home.

Zhang Xiulan, a senior citizen, said: "My eyesight is poor and cooking is difficult as the gas canister needs to be changed every 20 days. It's also expensive and I would rather burn fuel."

About 8 per cent of China's population are aged 65 and above, and in most cities, over 50 per cent live without their families or relatives.

Taking care of this group of elderly has become an urgent social problem. Right now, only one out of five urban communities provides some sort of community service targeted at the elderly.

Analysts said more needs to be done to promote the concept of community care for senior citizens. But they added that it is not enough to just look after the physical needs of the elderly. There are also problems such as depression, anxiety and loneliness.


- CNA/so