Foreigners Find China a Place to Grow Old Amid Concerns
From a kid playing in the streets of Beijing to an elderly teaching English in a local school, 67-year-old Michael Crook has seen everything of China.
Born to British and Canadian parents in 1951 in Beijing and spending a major part of his life in the country, Crook has seen China rise through the ashes of a struggling economy to the most developing country in the world.
Michael Crook. Photo: Raqib Hameed
Michael Crook. Photo: Raqib Hameed
Along with the growing economy, he has also witnessed the country turning into a home for the world’s most aging population and he is also one among them. He remembers a time when elders were most respected in the society and treated with great care, however, things haven’t remained the same nowadays.
Elders playing cards at a recreational center in the West Campus of Beijing Foreign Studies University. Photo: Raqib Hameed
Elders playing cards at a recreational center in the West Campus of Beijing Foreign Studies University. Photo: Raqib Hameed
“There was a time when elders were tremendously respected,” recalls Crook.
“Now those values are fast disappearing and with change in family structure. Elders are living their lives in emptiness but still it is not that rampant in comparsion to the west.”
An elderly woman enjoying sun on the cold Thursday in Beijing. Photo: Raqib Hameed
An elderly woman enjoying sun on the cold Thursday in Beijing. Photo: Raqib Hameed
China is fast edging to become the country with the largest aging population in the world. The country is currently bracing up for challengeson various fronts including the pension and social security system elders.
Crook is more concerned about the poor health care system for the elderly in the country mostly in the rural areas. He feels that the country is slow in addressing the needs and demands of the older population.
With a rapidly increasing population, the country is not able to catch-up with the health care needs of its elders who suffer from various health complications.
An elderly who works as a sweeper in the Beijing's Haidian district. Photo: Raqib Hameed
An elderly who works as a sweeper in the Beijing's Haidian district. Photo: Raqib Hameed
A majority of the older population is suffering from hypertension, diabetes, body pains,depression among others, but for most of them accessing the quality health care is still a distant dream.
But for Crook, China still remains one of the safest and elder-friendly country in the world. He is planning to retire and move to the coast of Shandong province and spend the rest of his life watching sunrise and sunset over Bohai Sea.
Crook playing Chinese chess. Photo: Raqib Hameed
Crook playing Chinese chess. Photo: Raqib Hameed
“It is difficult for the older people to adjust to new places,” Crook says.
“And I don’t think I will be happier anywhere else.”
