The China Association of Social Workers (CASW), a
non-governmental organization, has launched a large-scale project
to care for the elderly here on Wednesday.
According to the CASW's plan, about 20 centers for the service
for the elderly will be set up in provinces with large populations
of old people in the next five to eight years.
All the centers will have facilities for senior citizens'
housing, entertainment and recovery, sources with the CASW
said,
Under this project, an elderly service network will be set up
and forums spreading health care knowledge for the senior citizens
will be held regularly.
"The long-term promotion of the project is arduous, but it will
certainly be significant in developing a better system of elderly
service in the country," said Zhou Tienong, vice-president of the
association.
The total number of Chinese citizens aged above 60 in 2007 has
jumped from 126 million to 149 million, or 11.3 percent of the
total population, according to a report released at the end of last
year by the China Elderly Work Committee Office.
(Xinhua News Agency January 24, 2008)