At present, existing residential homes are only able to accommodate about 1 per cent of the total number of pensioners.

"The percentage is much lower than that in developed counties, where the percentage ranges from 3 to 5 or even 7 per cent," said Li Banghua, vice-director of the Society Division under Beijing Social Welfare Civil Administration Department.

Although most Chinese senior citizens prefer to continue living in their own home, increasing numbers are willing to move into residential homes.

As many as 20 per cent of pensioners in cities would consider it, according to a survey conducted by the China Research Centre on Ageing.

"Demand for residential homes is far from being met," Li said.

Residential homes in Beijing are expected to accommodate 1.5 per cent of senior citizens by 2005, according to Li.

In such homes nurses with professional training provide care services for the elderly and residents need not do the housekeeping themselves.

"Life is happy here," said an old man surnamed Wu in a residential home in Dongcheng District in Beijing.

"We enjoy physical exercises, excursions and other social activities here."

Wu has been living in residential homes for two years.

"My children want me to live with them, but they are too busy to chat with me," he said.

But an elderly woman surnamed Wang from Xuanwu District in Beijing took a different view.

"I won't go to a residential home unless my children treat me badly," she said.

A neighbour added: "I'd keep taking care of myself until I could do so no longer, then I may go there."

The opinions of Wang and her neighbour are not rare among senior citizens.

According to Zhang Weidong, an expert with East China Normal University, more than 30 per cent old people in residential homes feel they lack family love.

"Even if care is perfect it cannot replace love from their children. The first thing the elderly need for their mental well-being is family; the second is society," said Zhang.

But efforts in the right direction are gradually being taken. Some residential homes are providing family-style ornaments and services.

Family-style residential homes have appeared in Beijing. Kitchens are available for elderly residents to prepare food as they would in their own homes, according to the Beijing Youth Daily.

China has 126 million citizens who are aged above 60. The population of this group is expected to grow to 400 million in 2050, over one-fourth of the total population.

This has made elderly issues a hot topic in society and among experts and government officials.

It was traditionally considered to be desirable for Chinese elders to live with their children and receive their care.

But increased market competition in society has made it increasingly difficult for people to share a moment with their parents.

"Community service can help," suggested Zhang Kaiti, an expert with the China Research Centre on Ageing.

"Community services can play an important role in helping the elderly living at home."

The central government has taken efforts to improve community services through the Star Light Project, a charity programme to aid elderly Chinese people.

With a total investment of more than 10 billion yuan (US$1.2 billion), part of which comes from welfare lottery returns, the nationwide project aims to build more recreational facilities and better community services in cities, as well as more residential homes offering better services in rural areas and towns.

Communities and residential homes play different roles, experts said.

"Although community services are badly needed, residential homes with skilled nursing are still appreciated by those who cannot take care of themselves," said Li.

The central government has defined different roles on caring for the elderly, with the family playing the first role, communities an assistant role and residential homes a supplementary role.

(China Daily November 19, 2002)