Creator: Xiaoqi Yuan

Empty nesters became a serious phenomenon in China. Since their children leave home because of work, study, marriage, and other reasons, alone “empty nest” middle-aged and elderly produce psychological disorders, known as the family “empty nest” syndrome. Despite appeals from society and the government to care for the elderly, most young people still seldom visit their parents or grandparents. As of 2015, there are 100 million empty-nesters in China and most of them are not completely healthy. Xiaoqi’s grandmother is one of the empty nesters, she lives alone and she seldom visits her because they live far away. Thus, she hopes someone can take her place to visit her and bring her help. Our poster’s aim is to motivate the students, especially university students in China can create organizations like Little Brothers (an International, non-profit, volunteer-based organization to help to relieve isolation and loneliness among the elderly through weekly activities) to help the empty nesters in China. These organizations can help lots of empty nesters in every province in China. Even the elders’ children or grandchildren are not living with them, they still can get pleasure and company, they won’t feel so lonely and isolated. And these can help them to maintain mental and physical health.