A recent study revealed that 85 per cent of senior citizens in Shanghai pass their time by watching television. 

About 70 per cent of the city's elderly residents suffer from psychological problems, according to an investigation carried out by the Shanghai Mental Health Centre. 

The overall life satisfaction rate among seniors in Shanghai has dropped by 5.6 per cent over the last seven years, according to the Shanghai Old Age Research Centre. 

These figures do not affect an insignificant group of people. 

Shanghai has become the Chinese city with the highest proportion of residents over the age of 60 one in five, or 2.6 million. 

The situation facing the whole country is equally worrying. By 2035, a quarter of Chinese will be above the age of 60 more than the total projected populations of Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Japan combined. 

This is especially frightening considering China is a much poorer country, experiencing much faster growth in its ageing population. 

Former Finance Minister Xiang Huaicheng, now head of the National Council for Social Security Fund, has warned that the ageing population will become a colossal problem in China in 20 years if we do not address it seriously now. 
Most old men and women in Shanghai, like other parts of the country, live at home. But their communities are usually not so friendly. 

In some neighbourhoods, facilities built by the government for senior citizens have been leased to make a profit, such as being turned into matchmaking or nanny agencies. 

The few social workers providing care for the elderly are usually poorly trained. 
Few universities are interested in launching a gerontology major, so research into one of the toughest challenges facing our society is moving forward at snail's pace. In any case, few graduates express interest in working in communities. 

Those that believe buying gifts and sending money home makes their elderly parents happy are totally misguided. Results of studies have repeatedly shown that loneliness is the number one enemy of the health of senior citizens. 

The CCTV public announcement condemning children and grandchildren that do not visit their parents and grandparents should be aired day and night. 
Bored by loneliness, many single elderly people choose to cohabit to find company, thanks to a much more tolerant social attitude in recent years. 

While senior citizen's homes are increasing in number, they are still far from adequate to cope with the huge grey population. For the 1 million beds in such homes across China, demand is 14 million, according to a survey. 

Businesses that are supposed to follow the money have not tapped into the vast market of senior citizens. About 90 per cent of elderly shoppers say they are dissatisfied with the consumer goods designed for them. 

For the growing number of old folk living in the countryside, life is much worse without a pension or medical insurance. Many still plough the land into their 70s and 80s. 

We should not and cannot afford to turn a blind eye to the challenges posed by the ageing population. 

Individuals, families, communities, society and government should make concerted efforts to make the lives of this group more enjoyable. 

The government should give top priority to senior citizens when mapping out development plans. Our parents and grandparents should not be left behind in the economic boom. 

Filial piety is important in Chinese culture. We will all be scolded if we ignore the elderly. 

After all, one day we will be in the same position, expecting someone to look after us and consider our feelings.