Imagine juggling a high-powered academic career while caring for aging parents with complex health needs. That’s the reality for Peking University Professor Hu Yong, whose deeply personal story is reshaping conversations about caregiving in China’s rapidly aging society. 📚→❤️
In a candid interview, Hu reveals how caring for his mother with Alzheimer’s transformed his understanding of what he calls "the tree of life" – the interconnected cycle of care that binds generations. "We’re all leaves on the same tree," he says, comparing caregiving to photosynthesis. 🌳✨
Why it matters: With 1 in 5 Chinese expected to be over 65 by 2035, Hu argues current systems are like "trying to water a forest with an eyedropper." His solution? A three-pronged approach:
💡 Long-term care insurance modeled after Japan’s system
🏘️ Community care networks to combat isolation
📚 Public education about "death quality" and dignity
Hu’s most striking metaphor? Caregivers as "social antibodies" – the invisible workforce preventing societal collapse. 🛡️ His research shows 73% of family caregivers experience severe stress, yet receive minimal institutional support.
For Gen Z readers planning their futures, Hu offers this wisdom: "The smartphone in your hand today might become your parent’s lifeline tomorrow. How we design care systems now will shape all our tomorrows." 📱→❤️
