Elderly most vulnerable to demolition of homes
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A woman's suicide raises concerns over the elderly's welfare when the local government evicts them from their homes in the name of urban development.
Liu Xian, a 91-year-old woman from Yongchun County of southeast China's Fujian Province, killed herself by swallowing pesticide on May 10. Her home and her children's homes were slated for demolition by June 13.
According to the May 17 edition of the Legal Daily, she committed suicide because she didn't want to burden her children. Lin Minggui, a neighbor, said he believed Liu committed suicide because she worried she may hinder her children renting a house.
"My mom was healthy, but recently became depressed after hearing of the planned demolition of her home," her daughter said.
Elderly neighbors told the Legal Daily that Liu had wept for a few days before her suicide, and had murmured "nowhere to go."
After demolition, it takes three years for locals in Yongchun County to get their new houses, and during that period, they must rent. Yet it's challenging for families with elderly members to rent, because many landlords in Fujian believe it's ominous if an elderly individual dies in their houses.
A rental agency in Fuzhou told the Legal Daily people aged 65 and over have difficulties renting a home. There are many people in Fujian like Liu, who are troubled over finding a new place to live.
Amidst massive urbanization, officials say demolition of homes is inevitable; however, the elderly seem the most vulnerable to eviction. Reports showed most of the injured or dead related to demolition were elderly.
Elderly residents have strongly protested the destruction of their homes because they say it's not easy for them to adapt to a new living environment.
"Having lived in a place for quite a long time, they have weaved a stable social network there, but the loss of their home breaks bonds and throws them into a strange environment," said Prof. Zhang Youqin from Xiamen University. "They feel emotionally frustrated; it's like starting a new life at age 80."
Government compensation cannot solve all the problems brought by demolition, noted Zhang. She suggested building transitional dormitories and specially designed apartments for the elderly, and giving them more spiritual care.
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