A national organization on aging is striving to meet the overwhelming needs of the country’s older population. Focused on issues such as building community centers for the elderly, programs to relieve the stress of being alone, elderly legal assistance, elder rights and raising public awareness. For anyone who has had to help an older person with similar items or worked in an elderly care environment, it should sound pretty familiar.
But, this isn’t in America. No, these are the focal points of the Community Alliance in Bejjing, China. As the Alliance works towards accomplishing these goals, China is shifting from family-based care for the elderly, to community-based.
Why is this important? China’s 153 million over 60 citizens are in dire need of help. China is in a similar situation that countries like the U.S., UK, Australia and others are in: there are more elderly people than families that can care for them and there are not enough community-based organizations and services to help.
This is a global issue we’re facing. How we are able to care for our loved ones as they age in the coming years will be a testament to humanity.
