Growing Old Together: Elderly group in China finds happiness in living together

World
Europe

01:41

Embracing a new form of senior living, thirteen elderly Chinese have formed a successful community and depend on each other. It's leading some to suggest similar arrangements might be one way to care for the country's growing number of senior citizens.

Thirteen elderly people from different families, Sharing a three-storey villa. They've taken the initiative to live life in a creative way of their own choosing. After a year in Hangzhou, the new model for care is grabbing attention. Fish pond, farmland, trees and livestock, plenty to keep them busy. They want to enjoy life.

ZHU RONGLIN VILLA OWNER "Our seniors live and talk together, having dinner, playing cards, taking walks. We feel really happy. Our kids don't need to worry about us and work."

One year before, Zhu Ronglin, who owns a villa in suburban Hangzhou, placed an ad in local newspapers to hire "roommates". More than 20 couples applied, and the major criterion was affinity for mah-jong. Each family signs an agreement to pay dues, and around 1,200 yuan monthly rent.

JIANG YICHUN PARTICIPANT "The media made it possible for seven families who didn't know each other to live together for one year. It's not easy. The life here is basically smooth."

Each family is put on the housework roster, and all gather around a big table for each meal.

JIANG YICHUN PARTICIPANT "What a team wants is similarity. What we have to restrain is too much individuality. We pursue happiness and gain health -- that's our goal here."

CGTN.