China's 1-child policy could backfire on i...(-September 2006) visiting Chinese homes ...),Health

Date:9/2/2007

-September 2006) visiting Chinese homes, universities, hospitals and nursing homes in three major cities: Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu -- all cities with populations of more than 10 million. His findings and experiences are contained in his article, China: The Aging Giant, in the August issue of The Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

Flaherty says that by 2030, 336 million Chinese will be over the age of 60. If the burden of care for senior citizens shifts from family to facilities, such as nursing homes, the country would be unprepared. While China has nursing homes, it has far fewer than most developed countries. It is predicted that Beijing alone would have to construct 48 new nursing homes a year to keep up with the aging population.

On the up side, Flaherty observed that the Chinese elderly who are in nursing homes appear to be happier than many of their U.S. counterparts in nursing homes.

One big reason is room. Chinese elderly who live at home are usually living with multiple generations in an apartment or flat. In a nursing home, they have their own room, maybe even their own bathroom. Being placed in a nursing home is not necessarily a negative experience in China, which was refreshing to see.

Flaherty also was impressed with the community networks Chinese elderly establish for themselves.

Here in the United States, its easy for an older adult to become isolated. They drive to the store, get what they need and come home. In China, the cities are so overcrowded its almost impossible not to socialize. You dont drive as much. You walk. If you are older, you have to get out and shop because your children are busy working. You have to engage with your neighbors because theyre right on top of you. I think this forced socialization and the walking keep them healthy.

Flaherty says it is important to keep an eye on Chinas policies toward its aging population because within 25 years the country will b
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Contact: Nancy Solomon solomonn@slu.edu 314-977-8017 Saint Louis University Source:Eurekalert

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