Physical threats to older people's social worlds: findings from a pilot study in Wuhan, China

Western research reveals the significance of place in later life. In China the socialist welfare system of the work unit and the extended family have created even greater bonds between people and neighbourhood. The dismantling of this system and the weakening of family support have led to older people relying on other place-based structures which are now threatened by clearance. Older people who resided in Wuhan neighbourhoods due to be demolished talk of their everyday lives. The paper asserts the need to recognise the role of place and community as a locale for the well-being of older people that may be of increasing importance as other support structures are stretched to breaking point.