Taking the World Health Organization's prediction of a ballooning aged population by 2050, China has started to implement concrete measures to handle its senior population.
On Sept. 28, Xicheng District in Beijing opened Wanshou Park, a spacious outdoor aged-care facility that promotes an active way of living among the elderly.
Renovated for half a year, the park was developed by architecture firm Silk Tree International (STI), which is directed by Grand Donald. According to Donald, the park is designed to stimulate the five senses and invoke the memory.
"The aim of the project is to create facilities for strong, vital old people, but also the weak and the infirmed - people with hip or knee replacements, or poor eyesight, or Alzheimer's and finding ways to regenerate the memory," Donald said.
In order to encourage the elderly to participate in activities and blend into the community, Wanshou Park incorporates a children's playground and a 60-meter gravel-paved walking trail. The trail is meant to give the elderly a foot massage while walking.
Moreover, fruit trees planted around the vicinity stimulate the smell, and gardening tools are provided to help them connect with nature. There are solar chargers in the park so seniors can charge their phones, which can also be connected to the available Wi-Fi coverage.
One vital aspect of the Wanshou project is involving the immediate community to assist the elderly. For this, children in the nearby schools have been invited to point toilet directions or distribute water bottles, among other tasks. Interns in hospitals also take part by conducting blood-pressure checks at designated areas.
Donald also worked on easier transportation by diverting bus routes closer to the park. STI also looked into converting surrounding buildings to rehabilitation and care centers, short-term housing and educational facilities.
"Instead of letting people go downhill gradually and being a strain on society and families and health infrastructure, this park encourages healthy, active ageing - staying fit and active until we all fall off the perch, so to speak, rather than a 20-year decline," Donald said.