Shared apartments a hit in central China's Hubei

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The sharing economy concept is big business in China, but with massive hits like rent-a-bikes and shared cares, come comparative failures such as basketballs and umbrellas.

Now, the idea of sharing has taken a step closer to home in central China's Hubei Province as a number of senior citizens are offering spare rooms rent-free to youngsters.

And it's proving a hit as often lonely older residents can interact and receive help from cash-strapped students, keen to pay as little rent as possible.

Father and 'son'

24-year-old Feng Luchen has a room in the home of 64-year-old Mr. Yao who is paralyzed.

While Feng now lives and works in Hubei, he discovered that his ancestral home was the same as Mr. Yao's, strengthening their friendship.

Feng teaches Mr. Yao how to use a smartphone./Photo from Wuhan Evening News

The arrival of Feng has changed Mr. Yao's life in many ways. He is now learning how to use a smartphone and goes out more often with Feng's help, which has resulted in him becoming much more outgoing than he was when he lived alone.

A helping hand

Another example is college student Zhong Shuai who moved into Mrs. Yu’s apartment in June.

With a paralyzed husband and a son suffering from mental illness, Mrs. Yu has her hands fuller than most of her generation.

Since moving in with the family, Zhong lends a hand caring for her husband.

“My major was in social work, so taking care of eldery people is not difficult to me,” Zhong said.

“The shared apartment project not only means I don't pay rent, but it also offers me the chance to put what I’ve learned into practice,” he added.

Mr. Zhong is doing massage for Mrs. Yu's husband. /Photo from Wuhan Evening News

The idea of elderly residents renting out their spare rooms might tap into the sharing economy sensibility, but such arrangements are made privately, rather than through a centralized agency or an app.

Of the elderly people living in Hubei Province’s capital Wuhan, around 24 percent live alone, while 40 percent suffer from some form of medical condition, according to local media.

The concept of house-sharing with the elderly is not new in Western countries such as the United States, where youngsters often leave their family and choose to live on their own after they turn 18.

However, this is rarely seen in Chinese society, which normally values stronger family ties. In China, many adults choose to work in their hometown and live with their aging parents, so as to look after them.