Michelle Zhang

AFTER she moved into Haodu International Garden in the city's Xujing Town in Qingpu District, Shen Liuxuan proposed to form a "yaogu," or waist drum, group among retired people in the community.
The former Shanghai Waist Drum Group member's suggestion soon received support from local natives living nearby Several months later on November l8, the group, with a membership of l20, was established.
"We bought all the drums and performance clothes by ourselves," Shen said. 'All the members here have a deep fondness for the waist drum."
Some group members practice every morning. On Wednesday and Saturday, they gather together at "Old People's Home." a recreational center built by the town government exclusively for people over 60 in the community.
Built in 1994, the three-story building is home to such groups. For example, some elderly people come to exercise in the two gyms, one inside, one outside.
Some will go to a room on the third floor, where "pingshu," a traditional Chinese type of storytelling, is performed in the
afternoon for 15 days every month.
"We invite performers from Suzhou Pingshu Troupe to play for the old people," said Chen Xingquan, director of "Old People's Home." "They are warmly welcomed and enjoyed ."
Near the gym is a playground for croquet. Every day it is full of people waiting in line to enter the court.
Other choices for recreation include the teahouse, the dance hall, the card playing room and the painting and calligraphy room.
Every day there are about 200 people spending leisure time in the building. They don't need to pay for using any facilities here, and free tea is served.
"So far there are a total of 4,260 people aged over 60 in the town. Every year the town government spends more than 200,000 yuan on improving their lives." Chen said.
Xing Xingyu, a 65-year-old villager, said he comes to the building almost every day and is very satisfied with his recreational life there.
"The place is very close to my home," Xing said. "It takes me only about 5 minutes by bicycle."
He arrives at about 11 every morning and leaves at about 4 in the afternoon.
During these hours, he likes playing croquet and enjoys "pingshu."
"Old people need communication," he said. "My children all work very much and have little time to talk to me. However, I
have made some good friends here, and we chat with each other from time to time."
On Monday, Wednesday and Friday there are doctors in the building giving free examinations and treatment. Sometimes  "Old People's Home" also holds seminars on health care for the aged to attend.

Shanghai Daily