Want to reach 100? Think positively
XU Langsheng just celebrated his 100th birthday, with his 104-year-old brother Xu Langshu in attendance. The two farmers have became the first pair of centenarian brothers in Minhang.
The siblings were born in Xinghuo Village of Wujing Town and lived there all their lives.
“A positive attitude is the key to longevity,” said Xu Langsheng. “We never argued with others.”
Close brothers
Both brothers, who live next door to one another, are widowers. Their children look after them. They often walk around the village arm-in-arm. Both are slightly hunch-backed but neither uses a walking stick.
“My father and uncle are still strong enough to get around on their own and seldom go to hospital,” said Xu Fengjuan, daughter of the younger brother. “Every day they love to watch people play mahjong in the village games room.”
Xu Langsheng said he and his brother didn’t retire until they were around 70. He said they both believe that daily physical work made them stronger than ordinary people. Unlike many elderly Chinese, the brothers shower every day, no matter how cold the weather. “Our rooms don’t have any ‘old man stink’,” said Xu Langsheng.
The brothers are at the top of a family tree of more than 40 living descendants, who visit them regularly.
“The only thing that concerns me is the trouble we cause our children,” said Xu Langsheng. “They have their own lives to lead, and yet they still find time to look after us.”
Minhang is home to some 30 centenarians and nearly 260,000 seniors 60 years or older. Care for the aged is a priority issue with the district government.
Senior care
“We now have 6,500 beds in seniors’ homes in Minhang, but it’s far short of meeting the need,” said Cai Xiulan, deputy director of the Minhang District Civil Affairs Bureau. “Our surveys show that 19 percent of the seniors in Minhang cannot take care of themselves.”
Cai said the district is embarked on a program to develop community services that enable the elderly to stay in their homes as long as possible. Facilities offering daytime services to seniors are under construction.
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