One community in the city of Changchun, Jilin province has announced that it is providing day-care services for its aged residents, so they can enjoy their lives better, especially those whose spouse have passed away or who are "empty nesters", that is, those with children who have moved away.

Staff workers in Dongling community, Changchun, ready to deliver goods to the elderly, on July 7. [Photo by Lin Hong/Xinhua]

In the traditional Chinese family support system, the children are usually expected to take care of their parents at home, but these "empty nest" old people, aged 65 or above, are becoming more common in Chinese cities and even in rural areas, and the government has to take a lead and provide greater care of their material and spiritual needs.

Elderly people can take their lunch at a special restaurant in Dongling community that offers a range of services for the aged to make their lives more comfortable. [Photo by Lin Hong/Xinhua]

So, the Dongling community in Changchun's Er'dao district says that it is offering customized services for the elderly, for example, providing meals, house cleaning, medical care and first aid, all with just a phone call. It is now the first home-care provider for the elderly in the city and it is extending the program to more communities in the district, covering nearly 10,000 people.

Liu Yonghe (R), of Dongling community getting his blood pressure checked at the community service center. [Photo by Lin Hong/Xinhua]

China had 41.5 million of these "empty nesters" in 2010 and that is expected to go above 51 million by the end of the 12th Five-year Plan (2011-15), China Daily reports.