Never too old to enjoy a good life
Print Edition
THE Minhang District had two centenarians honored in this year’s annual “Shanghai Top 10 Longevity Stars” awards — Chen Zhongbo and Tang Genyu, both 106.
Chen wore a bright red coat to the awards ceremony and looked hale and hearty. He walked into the ceremony hall with help from his family.
The retired plating-maker at a note-printing plant now lives in Zhongyi Seniors Home in Hongqiao Town. Everyday, he walks the corridors to keep up his physical fitness. Except for hearing difficulties, he has enjoyed generally good health.
Chen is proud to note that he still bathes himself and washes his own clothes.
“And I like playing mahjong!” he said.
His family said he is not only an avid player but also a frequent winner at mahjong sessions played with others at the senior facility where he lives.
“I was born in Sichuan Province, and I still hope to go back to my hometown to have a look before I die,” said Chen.
His family said the old man is very open minded and not as traditional as people might expect him to be. He wants to donate his body to medical science as “one last contribution to society.”
Tang, who lives in Wujing Town with family, wasn’t able to attend the ceremony because the trip to downtown might be too exhausting for him.
The former textile factory worker said his family has the “longevity gene,” with many of his ancestors living to be 90 years and older. He said his secret for a long life is to maintain regular daily habits.
“I don’t follow the rule that you should eat more vegetables than meat,” said Tang. “But I also don’t drink or smoke, and I never stay up late at night.”
The Longevity Star award is organized by the Shanghai Aging Studies Society. Age is only one criterion for selection. Candidates are also judged on their mental and physical health, their lifestyles and their relationship with their families.
The district is now home to 112 centenarians, according to the Minhang District Civil Affairs Bureau. That’s 25 more than last year. About 74 percent of those 100 years and older are women.
The oldest person now living in the district is He Lianfang, who will be 107 this month. She was an award winner in a previous year.
Each centenarian gets a monthly subsidy of 600 yuan (US$88) to help with daily living expenses.
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