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Day centre offers elderly alternatives SHENYANG: Zhang Hongwen, 75, wolfed down his breakfast because he was in a hurry to meet worthy chess adversaries somewhere in Tiexi District of Shenyang. "I just can't help coming here, It's much more interesting than staying at home alone and watching TV," said Zhang, sitting in a newly established day centre for the elderly. The centre was set up by the local government to take care of senior citizens left alone at home while their children go out to work. The local government invested almost 500,000 yuan (US$61,650) in establishing the 120 square-metre centre, which includes a gymnasium, an entertainment room and a dining hall. Senior citizens can enjoy the facilities and services for just 1 yuan (US 12 cent) per day, whilst those from poorer families can be exempted from the fee. "People can send the elderly here in the morning and pick them up in the evening," said Chen Guoqiang, an official with the Shenyang municipal government. "This centre provides entertainment and stimulation for old people who feel lonely and want to socialize," said Chen. Currently, there are two such centres in Tiexi District of Shenyang. Chen said the local government plans to set up 126 such centres covering all the districts of the city. Zhou Chaohui, a medical adviser at the Tiexi District Health Bureau, said it would play a positive role in helping old people stay healthy both physically and psychologically. Xue Hen, an official from the Liaoning Provincial Civil Affairs Bureau, said Liaoning would promote the project throughout the province over the next three years. The centre's staff are all former laid-off workers from within the community who were retrained before taking up their posts. There are 157,000 senior residents who are 60 years old or above in Tiexi District of Shenyang, accounting for 15 per cent of the total population. Since it is a tradition for the son or daughter to live together with elders, the project offers a good solution for working people who have to take care of their ageing parents while coping with pressures of work. "This is a good beginning, as old people can live with family members while not putting too much pressure on them," said Kong Fanwen, a senior citizen in Shenyang who is in his 60s. (China Daily 08/26/2005 page3)
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