CHANGSHA, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- A six-story community center for the elderly, located in the city of Changde, central Hunan Province, is a popular place for more than 160 senior residents in Xinpo community, offering the local region a solution to take care of the elderly.
"The center is financially supported by the younger generations of our community, so it is free for the senior residents," said Li Cuiying, head of the Xinpo community's women's federation. "Most of the senior residents in the community live alone since their children usually work in bigger cities, away from home all year."
"Both my son and my daughter-in-law work in another city," said Xu Shizhu, 74, a resident of the Xinpo community. Xu has been a regular at the center since its completion in 2014.
"I used to be alone at home, but now I always hang out with my old friends at the center, having lunch and dinner together, reading books and watching movies, all free of charge."
The community center has been updated with modern facilities, including a reading room, a consulting room, a cinema, a medical treatment room, a hair salon and several restaurants.
Most seniors from the community are attracted to the center because it also provides a daily pick-up service, and doctors from the community hospital regularly visit the center to give the elderly routine health checks.
"I come here every day because the center has everything I need," said Guo Chunxi, 82.
Given the popularity of the community center, more residents from the city volunteer at the center, and some of the elderly who were taken care of left the center all their money in their will.
"In traditional Chinese culture, taking care of the elderly is not only about providing them basic living necessities, but also about making them happy," said Chen Jianpin, Xinpo's Party chief. "The Xinpo community has set a good example of how to take good care of the elderly."
