China's aging population is swelling faster than expected. By 2050, one in every three Chinese residents will be more than 60 years old. Where can people spend their remaining years after growing old? And how?
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Sixty years old is the literal benchmark in China when one stops being just an adult and becomes a senior citizen.
More than 430 million Chinese people will become senior citizens in less than 50 years.
"It is more than the combined population of England, France, Japan, Germany and Italy."
Li Bengong is the president of the China National Committee on Ageing. He says senior care is an imminent problem rising from the swelling number of senior citizens.
"There are altogether over one million beds provided by retirement homes. Even if the number could be doubled or increased four-fold in a few decades, it is far from enough."
Retirement homes are more crowded than ever before. Zhang Luzhi, head of a Beijing-based center for the aged, says over 1,000 people are waiting to be taken in.
"We have about 510 beds and they are all occupied. Those who are waiting have to count on the new building, which is currently under construction. A lot of old people have simply given up after waiting so long."
Actually, few old people would like to move out of their own homes if their physical condition permits. 73 year old Shen Guangkui says he hasn't considered going to a retirement home.
"From my current health condition, I don't think I need to go to a retirement home. I have a nurse to help me look after my ailing wife. It's still too early for me to move out for extra care."
But when in need, old people do hope there is some kind of help available.
A Beijing community is working on a program to provide senior citizens with medicare assistance and recruiting domestic workers to help with chores or serve as companions.
"We call it a 'no-wall retirement home,' which means senior citizens in the community will be able to enjoy the same services provided in traditional retirement homes."
The practice is being promoted nationwide.
Li Bengong says community service is of greater importance in China now that a special family structure is taking shape, that is, one couple supporting four senior parents and a child.
"We are trying to build up a system, with retirement homes an additional part of that system. Community-based in-home care services are what we should be based on."
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Director: Liu Chi