How we face 'getting old before getting rich'

（People's Daily Online） 07:37, March 13, 2013

Senior people have lunch at “virtual restaurant for seniors” of Chengguan district in Lanzhou, Gansu on Oct 11, 2012. People at the age of 60 years old or above who live in Chengguan district can apply for a “virtual card for seniors” for discounted meals at any restaurant for seniors in the city. (Photo/Xinhua)

In traditional Chinese society, sons and daughters must share the responsibility of taking care of their parents when they get old. Due to the "one-child policy" across the county, fertility rate continues to fall down at the same time aging population increases, which means "more elderly people and less working-age population" in the current and future society. "Support elderly people" puts pressure on many Chinese families.

According to a newly released report the number of China's citizens at the age of 60 years old or above had increased to 194 million. The aging population accounted for 14.3 percent of the total Chinese population by the end of 2012.

Nowadays, due to over capacity of nursing homes for seniors in China, most aging people have to stay at home. Analyst points out "getting old before getting rich", "getting old before being well prepared" are prominent characters of nursing services in China.

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