China’s rapidly aging society poses enormous economic and social problems. The elderly’s emotional needs, the “seniors’ blues,” and family stress are often overlooked. Xu Wei reports that TV is turning a lens on the neglected issues.

Fang Qiong used to be a leading cadre of a women’s federation, a capable and influential career woman. Now retired and living with a married daughter, she is unaccustomed to family life and feels useless, lonely and anxious.

To get more attention, Fang meddles with her daughters’ lives. Her vocal suspicions that her son-in-law is having an affair with an ayi (domestic helper) almost wrecks her daughter’s marriage.

Fang is one of many seniors depicted in a new, real-life TV series “To Elders with Love” by director Zhao Baogang. It’s shown on Hubei Satellite TV seen nationwide and on the Internet. It’s set in Beijing.

It is one of two ongoing TV dramas portraying the emotions and pain — and sometimes joy — of China’s urban elderly population, as well as the dilemmas and stress for their children who are obliged to provide for them and give emotional support.

The other series, “Four Seasons in My Home,” by award-winning scriptwriter Wang Liping is about fresh romance and remarriage in the “twilight” years, and the inheritance anxieties this poses for children. It’s aired nightly on Anhui Satellite TV, seen nationwide and on the Internet.

Meanwhile, a five-part documentary, “An Aging Society Has Arrived,” produced by Li Tao, will be shown in May on the local Documentary Channel and Dragon TV.

The series have captured the current discourse on how best to care for an aging population, the meaning of filial piety in modern society, and the physical and emotional needs of older citizens. They have raised awareness of China’s inadequate social security system and lack of senior care, both medical and psychological, as well as geriatric health-care professionals.

The dramas, which portray considerable sadness, suffering and conflict, have generated heated discussion on the Internet. Many commenting netizens are only-child couples in their 20s and 30s, who are now becoming aware of the enormous pressures of two people having to care for four parents, as well as their own children.

Most of the seniors in “To Elders with Love” are suffering the “seniors’ blues,” which is adversely affecting family life and relationships. They come from a range of backgrounds.

The numbers

At the end of last year, China had 190 million people aged 60 or above, according to the China National Committee on Aging. Its statistics show that the population of senior citizens will exceed 300 million by 2025. China is the only country with more than 100 million elderly people.

Among the 190 million elderly, more than 30 percent suffer various diseases and painful conditions, many of them requiring assistance. Around 40 percent of them have symptoms of depression, according to the committee.

China has more than 9 million people with Alzheimer’s disease, according to Alzheimer’s Disease International. Most lack proper care.

In “To Elders with Love,” one old lady is paralyzed, requiring costly treatment and long-term care. She eventually takes her own life because she doesn’t want to be a burden to her only son and his family.

In another episode, a widow spends all her savings to buy an apartment for her idle, married son who is in the NEET (not in education, employment or training) group. She gets very little appreciation and gets no respect from her daughter-in-law.

The series also shed light on the vulnerability of seniors to scams involving real estate, healthcare products and other things, because of memory loss, loneliness and a trusting nature.

This is the first time director Zhao, known for programs about young people, has brought troubling, age-related issues and dilemmas to the screen.

Zhao has said that filial piety and responsibility are an integral part of Chinese culture, but it is now under threat because of new social problems. “I shot the drama to help improve communication and understanding between two generations,” he said.

“Four Seasons in My Home,” a Shanghai TV drama, tackles love in the later years or “twilight romance,” a controversial issue in today’s families because of money.

The protagonist is an energetic and retired man who gets divorced and falls in love with a woman from rural northern China. Divorce still remains controversial and many people view romantic and sexual liaisons among the elderly with disapproval.

The man’s four daughters are opposed to entanglement, especially remarriage, since they fear they will lose their inheritance. They only agree to his marriage if the bride signs a prenuptial agreement renouncing all claims to his property.

The Shanghainese women also look down on the less sophisticated woman from the north.

“Chinese people are not positive about twilight love (huanghun lian »Æ»èÁµ) mostly because of property disputes,” says scriptwriter Wang. “Many adult children can accept a parent’s new romance, but they don’t want a new marriage in case it hurts their own benefits.”

Wang Ruifeng, a 65-year-old retired middle school teacher, lost her husband 20 years ago. In recent years her friends have arranged several dating for her. But each time she was strongly opposed by his only son, who asks her to take care of the grandchildren.

“He doesn’t want me to have another marriage, because if so, I would not have enough time to take care of his family,” Wang says. “I know he is selfish. But parents are usually the one to make a compromise. I love my grandchildren and I still want to help.”

The TV dramas also convey the message that parents ought not to spoil their children, one day making themselves needy objects of filial piety. Treating their own parents with kindness and love will impress their children and in later years incline them toward kindness, they suggest.

Because of the series, some professionals in their 30s have been prompted to plan early for their own retirement.

“I don’t want to be a burden on my child, so it is important for me to save for my retirement from now on,” says Mango Fan, who works in the IT industry. “As I get old, I will arrange tours with my wife and friends. We don’t expect our children to look after us. After all, they have their own lives.”

Many people say the stories on screen resonate with their own experience.

Edward Wang, a salesman in his 40s, quit his job two years ago to look after his paralyzed father at home. The older man doesn’t want to go to a nursing home, which he considers a humiliation.

Edward Wang says his life has changed a lot, and it took him and his wife weeks to decide whom to quit the job to look after his sick father. As his wife works as a senior accounting manager at a big company and earns more, he made up his mind to quit and open an online store.

“I used to be a social person and I was not used to working at home at the beginning,” he adds. “But I found it my duty to look after my father. My mother passed away many years ago. I am the only one my father can really depend on.”

Psychologist Lin Yizhen says that regressive, childlike behavior in the elderly is relatively common and she sees more of it these days. She also sees more psychological problems among younger family members who are pressured with their own work and families — and must care for their parents.

“In this fast-paced, competitive society, traditional, home-based elder care can no longer satisfy the psychological demands of seniors today,” Lin says. “Multiple approaches to senior care are inevitable. People have to change their minds.”

In September the Chinese government issued policy suggestions and strategies on elder care, including developing community-based care, pension service points and care insurance. It suggests in some cases reversing mortgages in which seniors can exchange their homes for financing nursing home care, or for staying in their homes until their death.

Lin says that in the near future, more Chinese families will choose professional nursing homes of various types.

“Despite a strong emotional attachment to their children, Chinese seniors should learn from their Western peers to grow old more independently,” Lin adds. “As for adult children, they should show seniors more respect and give more emotional support, so that they feel secure and fulfilled.”