China now has over 150 million people above the age of 60. That is about 10% of the country's total population. The Chinese Minister of Civil Affairs said, "...scholars point out that China is far from prepared for this because it lacks a complete social security network... Our goal is to set up a network to support senior citizens, to provide medicare, to help them avoid loneliness through study and entertainment, and to encourage them to serve society by using their abundant knowledge."
Home Sweet Home
Today, many elderly in China have been displaced from their homes. The elderly home you see to the right is located in a beautiful suburb of Hangzhou and set amongst green hills, water, luxurious orchards and woods. The senior citizens
find it is a quiet sanctuary away from the clamor of the city.
The main, center structure of the elderly home is a three-story building flanked by two, two-story high buildings. In the front there is a large garden-like area where the elderly can take a walk around a pond, flowers and trees.
The elderly home opened on June 7, 2001. It is home to over 60 elderly now with 20 on staff plus volunteers. The majority of the elderly are women. There are two sisters that are around 80 and 90 years old. They have been Christians serving the Lord since they were very young. Now they are old and helpless since they no longer have close family or relatives. They are so happy they can stay at the elderly home.
The elderly home can accommodate over 200 people. Each room has its own bathroom. Three elderly people can live
in a large room where there is a large
window and an adjoining room for those with special needs.
Everyday, they have morning and evening services led by local pastors. The morning service I sat in was led by a local "brother" who had a real gift in identifying, teaching and relating to the elderly. I thought to myself that any elderly person who would be admitted to this place would be blessed by such a peaceful and spiritual environment. God seems to have really prepared this place for these elderly men and women.
Although the Christian elderly home in Hangzhou has not been open for very long, it is quite famous in Hangzhou and gained quite a reputation amongst the elderly. Outside of any facility operated by the Social Welfare Department in Shanghai and Beijing, one cannot find such a quality elderly facility in most provinces in China.
Since it just opened, there are many challenges to overcome but Brother Yao, the local farmer who offered the land to build the elderly home and the one responsible for the elderly home, says he deeply believes that with God's blessing, the elderly home will function better and better as all the brothers and sisters work together with one heart.
Elderly Home
