China’s capital Beijing is struggling to cope with its growing number of elderly residents which number more than three million.
The government has announced a trial scheme to relocate some out of the capital, but many don’t want to move.
Senior citizens make up a quarter of Beijing’s registered population of which 80 per cent live in the city centre, where services are struggling to meet demand.
Professor Du Peng, a demographer at Renmin University, says developing adequate services in the city is a slow process and not everyone can be catered to.
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“There is a very big gap between service need and supply," he said.
"For Beijing there’s also another gap between the service and professionals.”
To help ease this pressure the government has announced a trial scheme to encourage the elderly to relocate.
Those who move to the neighbouring Hebei and Tianjin will have their medical costs subsidised. But many are reluctant to leave Beijing’s vibrant elderly communities.
Hundreds of senior citizens go to Beijing’s historic Temple of Heaven park everyday to gather, socialise and exercise.
Among them is 76 year-old An Hong Zhang, who has lived in Beijing his whole life and refuses to move.
“It's because I have a strong attachment to the city," he said.
"I'm 76 years old and I lived through the hard times of the 50s and witnessed how the city became how it is now… I have a sense of belonging here.”
Still, facilities outside the city are doing their best to attract Beijing’s seniors.
Costing over one billion dollars, Yanda nursing centre offers residents a range of entertainment and education facilities, and even has its own hospital.
Located one hour’s drive east of Beijing, manager Cui Kai says it provides elderly Beijingers with another choice.
“Most of them have children who live outside the province or abroad," she said.
"So these elderly people are alone at home, mostly likely without proper care and unable to live properly.”
Cui Kan says the residents at the centre chose to move because they receive better services for less than the cost than what they would pay if they stayed in Beijing.
But despite opening in 2011, Yanda is struggling to attract clients and only 10 per cent of spaces have been filled.
Professor Du Peng, says people can be encouraged to relocate, but not forced.
“If some people prefer to live in Beijing and get services in Beijing they should have equal choice,” he said.
