China’s elderly caught in clash between culture and care
- Families must shoulder the bulk of care for older members, a burden that is only expected to increase as the country ages
- Even if they do choose nursing homes, the quality of care is not necessarily up to par
The son took turns with his brother to look after their 79-year-old, partially paralysed mother in northwest China but still the burden was too much.
Last month, he was charged with attempted murder, accused of burying the incontinent woman alive because he resented her smell in the house, police in Shaanxi province said.
Not so fortunate was an 83-year-old disabled woman in the eastern province of Jiangsu who was allegedly suffocated by a domestic helper employed by the woman’s family to look after her, according to local authorities.
The two cases highlight the vulnerability of elderly people in China and the modern challenges of finding adequate professional care for senior citizens, a responsibility that is overwhelmingly shouldered by families.
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Elderly man in China takes patient care of wife with Alzheimer’s
Professor Wu Bei, from the New York University Rory Meyers College of Nursing, said families accounted for more than 85 per cent of long-term care for the elderly in China.