Huddling for Retirement

These days， more and more senior citizens are choosing to retire to communities of residents who share their interests and lifestyles.

China has a growing elderly population. Statistics from the National Working Commission on Aging show that the country’s senior demographic increases by 10 million annually. By the end of 2014， this group reached nearly 214.2 million， accounting for 15.5 percent of the nation’s total. Experts predict that by 2055 seniors will account for 35 percent of the nation’s population， which means that an effective method of caring for them has become a pressing need.

In recent years， the population of empty-nest elderly has increased due to urbanization and the country’s one-child policy. The traditional method of providing for seniors is no longer feasible for many families， communities， and related institutions. Many seniors hate the idea of burdening their children as much as going to a nursing home. They therefore choose to spend their twilight days with neighbors， classmates and friends so they can enjoy freedom， escape loneliness， and receive care.

Such a lifestyle demonstrates how in the 21st Century， many groups – the elderly in particular– are innovating new models for fulfilling living. Institutions tasked with caring for the growing demographic are welcoming these wonderful supplements and designing their future strategies accordingly.

Economically， “huddling for retirement” happens in two forms： One is market-oriented. There are specially-established communities for the aged， like those in Hainan Province， which are well equipped with dining halls， education centers， gyms， and even professional nursing organizations. Another is familyoriented. People can choose to buy or rent houses in senior communities that enable residents to help and look after each other.

However， such a choice is still for the lucky because it requires both the ability to carry out simple tasks of daily life and financial means. Additionally， it can only happen in relatively-developed places.

The dream of the “huddling for retirement” is not the solution to providing for the elderly. The task will require the joint efforts of all of society.