Stories
China Elderly Hire Temporary Children for Companionship
C
CNBC TV18•15-10-2026, 00:21
China Elderly Hire Temporary Children for Companionship
- •Elderly people in China are hiring paid companions known as temporary children to help with daily chores, hospital visits, and meals.
- •The growing companionship industry was valued at approximately $7.4 billion in 2025 by Sinolink.
- •91-year-old Yang from Beijing relies on Wang Yingwei and his team for daily hot meals and household repairs to combat severe loneliness.
- •Wang Yingwei started the business after his father-in-law's experience in a nursing home, aiming to help seniors stay in their own homes affordably.
- •Young workers like 23-year-old Liu Yanyan also work as medical escorts, helping seniors navigate hospital appointments and medications.
Key Questions Answered
The companionship business catering to China's elderly was valued at approximately $7.4 billion in 2025 by the securities company Sinolink.
Paid companions visit seniors to deliver hot meals, help with daily chores, install water filters, repair equipment, accompany them to hospital visits, and provide emotional support{{2}.
Wang Yingwei started the business after his father-in-law developed Alzheimer's disease and faced poor conditions in a nursing home, inspiring him to help other elderly people remain in their own homes.
