Grey is golden: centenarians celebrate life
By Wing Tan |
November 16, 2012, Friday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
SONGJIANG District is going grey. There are now 25 residents 100 years or older living here, according to the Songjiang Civil Affairs Bureau.
Three were added to the longevity list last month, and another four will become centenarians before the year is out. That compares with five in 2005.
Women, it seems are living longer than men. Nineteen of the district's current centenarians are women. The oldest is Zhong Jiumei in Sijing Town, who was born in 1909.
A newer addition to the venerable list is Tang Xuejuan from the Xinnan Community.
She celebrated her 100th birthday last month.
The former farm worker still loves to laugh and remains quite agile. The last time she was in hospital was almost 30 years ago.
Tang still does simple farm chores in the courtyard of her home - picking fruit and pulling weeds.
"I don't like to stay indoors," Tang said. "Farm work has always kept me young and in high spirits."
She said she has never been fussy about food and always tries to eat some of everything. Dumplings are her favorite dish, though. "I can eat six at one time," she said.
Tang can't read or write, but illiteracy hasn't kept her from a fulfilling life.
She said she has always been extremely tidy and made her own clothes and shoes.
Last year she sewed a baby suit from homespun cloth for her three-year-old great-granddaughter.
Tang has two sons and two daughters, ranging in age from 81 to 57.
By the end of last year, 125,600 of Songjiang's registered residents were 60 years or older, accounting for just over a fifth of the population.
About 19,000 residents, or 15 percent of the population, were aged 80 or older.
Assistance for aged
Songjiang District is continuing to improve care and facilities for the elderly.
By the end of last year, the district had 21 nursing homes offering 4,460 beds for the aged. More than 7,600 seniors were provided with home-care services.
Twenty-eight community centers catering to the elderly were built or renovated last year, bringing the total number to 242. Three day care centers and five community canteens were established to offer daily meals for older people.
Senior citizens are granted free admission to the district parks, scenic spots and the Songjiang Museum. Those 70 years or older are also treated to free movies once a month.
Three were added to the longevity list last month, and another four will become centenarians before the year is out. That compares with five in 2005.
Women, it seems are living longer than men. Nineteen of the district's current centenarians are women. The oldest is Zhong Jiumei in Sijing Town, who was born in 1909.
A newer addition to the venerable list is Tang Xuejuan from the Xinnan Community.
She celebrated her 100th birthday last month.
The former farm worker still loves to laugh and remains quite agile. The last time she was in hospital was almost 30 years ago.
Tang still does simple farm chores in the courtyard of her home - picking fruit and pulling weeds.
"I don't like to stay indoors," Tang said. "Farm work has always kept me young and in high spirits."
She said she has never been fussy about food and always tries to eat some of everything. Dumplings are her favorite dish, though. "I can eat six at one time," she said.
Tang can't read or write, but illiteracy hasn't kept her from a fulfilling life.
She said she has always been extremely tidy and made her own clothes and shoes.
Last year she sewed a baby suit from homespun cloth for her three-year-old great-granddaughter.
Tang has two sons and two daughters, ranging in age from 81 to 57.
By the end of last year, 125,600 of Songjiang's registered residents were 60 years or older, accounting for just over a fifth of the population.
About 19,000 residents, or 15 percent of the population, were aged 80 or older.
Assistance for aged
Songjiang District is continuing to improve care and facilities for the elderly.
By the end of last year, the district had 21 nursing homes offering 4,460 beds for the aged. More than 7,600 seniors were provided with home-care services.
Twenty-eight community centers catering to the elderly were built or renovated last year, bringing the total number to 242. Three day care centers and five community canteens were established to offer daily meals for older people.
Senior citizens are granted free admission to the district parks, scenic spots and the Songjiang Museum. Those 70 years or older are also treated to free movies once a month.
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