Paid Companionship Services Address Loneliness Among Elderly in China

A growing 'loneliness industry' in China, exemplified by Wang Yingwei's service, provides companionship, hot meals, and practical assistance to isolated elderly individuals, such as 91-year-old Yang in Beijing. This trend is exacerbated by societal structures, including rural-to-urban migration and job-seeking movements, leading to increased isolation. Yingwei's services, which cost less than half the price of hiring a caregiver, aim to help seniors age at home rather than moving to sub-standard retirement facilities.