Changsha releases aging development statistics

Changsha city officially released its 2015 annual aging development statistical bulletin on June 14, with it revealing that Changsha's annual average life expectancy is now 77 years old.

According to statistics from Changsha's Aging Office, by the end of 2015, the city is home to 1.25 million people over the age of 60, accounting for 16.82 percent of population.

Among them there are some 231 centenarians (those aged over 100), most of whom live in rural areas, the oldest of which being a Ms Tan from Ningxiang county who is 110 years old with more than 80 descendants across five generations.

According to Ouyang Anding, chief of the Geriatrics Department, the Fourth Hospital of Changsha, centenarians often share common characteristics, such as having an outgoing personality, light diet, diligence and regular lifestyle.

Though longevity is something to strive for it also raises the issue increased numbers of empty nest seniors. Nearly half of the aging population in the city, 625,000 out of the total 1.25 million, are "empty nest" elderly, who live alone unaccompanied by any family.

Ouyang suggested that empty nesters need to take extra care to look after themselves and that their adult children should pay regular visits and keep an eye on mental health and emotional wellbeing.