Senior Center: Chinese Valentine’s Day

Grounded on core values of respect, love, and service to the elderly, the Xin Yue Senior Citizen Service Center of Chongqing, China, promotes social work services for senior citizens and builds harmonious living environment for them.

Chinese Valentine’s Day was coming. Xin Yue Senior Citizen Service Center carried out an activity and 25 elderly people participated in the activity.

Before the activity, the staff visited 17 old couples and consulted their opinions. Many senior citizens were happy to know that the social workers had prepared the activity for them. They said valentine’s day is for young people. Most of couples have been accompanying with each other for decades. However, this romantic day is not only for young people. It is a special day to memorize their days spending together. Finally, many couples agreed to participate in the activity.

During the activity, the social workers encourage the senior citizens to share their stories. Many of them said life was more difficult when they were married, just a few things as a piece of quilt, a cupboard or a table in the room. The simpleness made them keeping accompaniment with each other for the whole life. When they shared their stories, the social workers played interactive games with the senior citizens. They enjoyed the games and their prized their spouse during the activity. The atmosphere became warm. Grandpa Luo had been hit by cerebral hemorrhage and he could not express with fluent sentences. He also prized his wife with “pretty“ and “good care taker”. His wife was happy and moved. Later, the social workers and volunteers taught the grannies to fold Chinese knots and taught the grandpas to fold roses. They were learning and doing seriously. With efforts, Chinese knots and roses were made. The couples exchanged gifts. Grandpa Li recalled the most romantic things he did with his wife. In the end, he said the most romantic thing is to participate the activity with his wife. We wish them happy and good health.

The volunteer was teaching the couples on how to fold Chinese knot and rose. Granny Zhang has been taking care of her husband. Her husband was gratitude her love though he could not speak. 

Original article written by Ling Feng, translated by Maggie Li, edited by Yanyan Zhang

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