Elderly find new ways to combat stress and loneliness

World Today

South Korea is facing an increasingly large aging population. But many are finding new ways to keep up their physical and mental health.
CCTV’s Hou Yun filed this report.

More Details:

  • In the capital Seoul, around 10 boxing gym have special zones for elderly people. In addition, other stress-release services have also emerged in South Korea to help the old feel young.
  • The boxing gym manager says an increasing number of elderly people have signed up for training.
  • The gym has adjusted, with a longer warm-up and lower intensity to suit its new members. And, it fits a pensioner’s budget.
  • Statistics from South Korea’s health ministry shows that nearly 7 million people are now aged 65 and up, accounting for over 13 percent of the whole country’s population. Among them, 70 percent live alone, and around 30 percent suffer from some form of depression.