Some rural seniors get together to have a casual chatting. Nearly 40 percent of Chinese rural seniors do not have children living close enough for support purposes despite strong demand, Economic Daily reports, citing a survey. (File photo)

Nearly 40 percent of Chinese rural seniors do not have children living close enough for support purposes despite strong demand, Economic Daily reports, citing a survey.

The study was conducted in 2014 by Shanghai University of Finance and Economics (SUFE), which sent more than 1,000 college students to conduct interviews in 731 villages from 31 province-level administrative regions across China.

Over 40 percent of Chinese rural seniors hope to have their children living by their sides for old age, according to the survey, with over 68 percent relying on their children financially.

Data shows that one out of three rural seniors needs health care. About half of these take medication on a regular basis over a prolonged period.

High blood pressure troubles nearly 40 percent of seniors.

Rural senior income is limited despite the fact that 54.6 percent are still engaged in work, mostly on farmland.

Senior relationships with families and psychological well-being are critical issues that demand special attention, according to reserachers.

China needs to revise its welfare policies for the elderly, says leading researcher Zhang Xiong, who is also the dean of SUFE's School of Humanities. Regional differences should also be considered while designing welfare mechanisms.