The Old Folks at Home.docVIP

The Old Folks at Home 　　THE afternoon sunlight streamsinto the room, with its neatlymade beds, exquisite teawareset, an up-to-the minute TV,aud old family photos bedecking thewalls of this cozy abode in the Silver AgeApartments for Senior Citizens. This isthe home of 85-year-old Shu Hongjunaud his wife Li Shizhen, three years hisjunior. 　　 　　Evolving Concepts of Elderly Care 　　 　　The conple moved to the old folkshome in 20o7, at the very filial suggestion of their daughter. Although thecouple’s gown-up children lived in Beijing, they were too far away not to worryabout their parents, living alone with noone on the spot to look out for them. 　　I passed out twice at home, which putmy wife in a spin, recalls Shu Hongjun.We are old now and our memories arefailing; if we have to go out buying groceries there’s a good chance of havingan accident. Experiences like this madethem decide on the move to an old folkshome. In July 9007, they rented out theirown place and went to live in the SilverAge Apartments near to where theirdaughter lives. 　　The medical seevice here is good andit’s great to live together with other oldpeople, says the old lady, pointing tothe emergency beeper on the bed head.There’s another beeper in the bathroomfor us to summon emergency help, and adoctor or nurse will arrive at the double. 　　When they themselves were younger,the couple looked after Shu’s father until he passed away. But there wasn’t asmuch pressure from work and life backthen. Things are very different for youngpeople these days, what with just having one kid, and loads of pressure fromall directions. Living here will makethings less stressful for our children,Li explains. 　　Her husband expounds on why thislifestyle suits them: One, my daughterfeels she’s doing her filial duty; two, weget all-round care; three, it stacks upfinancially. 　　The couple lives in a large standardroom with two beds, each bed costing2,300 yuan per month. When board,service and heating expenses are