For anybody looking at India and its demographic shifts, the most comparable country is likely China. For a country that is somewhat similar when it comes to cultural and family systems, how the Chinese are planning for longevity of general population, and in particular policies towards health and wellbeing of older adults, might help inform our planning for the future.
As per the 2020 China Ageing Development Bulletin, the number of people over 60 years (age of mandatory retirement) stood at 267 million, and account for roughly 19% of the total population. This paper provides a high-level perspective on public health implications of an ageing society and recommendations. By 2050, the government predicts retirees will constitute a third of China's population and caring for them will cost a quarter of annual GDP.
Beyond the numbers and alarmist predictions, old cultures and civilizations offer mysteries, mythologies and stories that can take you down a never ending quest for knowledge, and somewhere in there, you are likely to find a hidden gem. These little gems provide comfort in how families and communities will continue to be the strongest support pillar for most of the elders seeking care and support.
The Chinese character Shou stands for Longevity while Shouxing is the representative god and part of a group of three gods (together called Sanxing) that bring Fortune, Prosperity and Longevity to its followers. Or so goes the story.
The city of Rugao is well known as a longevity town in China, and overlooking this county-level city is a towering bronze statue of Shouxing, the God of Longevity, looking down upon its residents among who are over one thousand centenarians. The Rugao Longevity and Ageing Study (RuLAS) setup in early 2008 provides some interesting insights for those that prefer the academic parts. The video below also provides a quick glimpse into the city of Rugao and its more celebrated residents.
That is all to this week’s edition, lighter and shorter. Hope you enjoyed it.
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