On the afternoon of October 29, 2025, ahead of the Double Ninth Festival, KE Holdings Inc. (BEKE) and a prominent magazine jointly hosted the "Afternoon of Life" salon in Beijing, focusing on the lives of the elderly. During the event, the report titled "Are We Ready to Grow Old? Community Silver Age Life Observation Report" (hereinafter referred to as the "Report") was officially released.
The Report is based on 415 public submissions and 4,273 questionnaire interviews targeting individuals aged 55 and above across China. It documents the lived experiences of countless individuals as they navigate the passage of time.
The findings reveal that aging is not merely a decline in physical functions but also involves what the Report terms "Schrödinger's memory" and the fear of losing self-worth. A 58-year-old respondent admitted, "The changes in appearance—growing uglier with age—make one less likable." Another 63-year-old interviewee expressed deeper sorrow: "Whether in daily life or emotional well-being, relying on others for everything is tragic. And the fact that this tragedy is not by the elderly's own choice is the greatest pain point."
The Report highlights the challenges in caregiving relationships. The one-child generation bears the heaviest burden, scattered across major cities and dreading late-night calls from their hometowns. Meanwhile, the phenomenon of the "young elderly" caring for the "older elderly" has become an unavoidable reality, testing intergenerational relationships under the weight of eldercare responsibilities.
From a spatial and technological perspective, the Report notes that homes often lack age-friendly designs, posing hidden dangers, while the external world becomes increasingly inaccessible due to the digital divide. Many elderly individuals feel "abandoned," struggling with smartphone usage or adapting to new technologies.
The salon discussions offered diverse perspectives and solutions to the complex issues outlined in the Report. Host and actress Ni Ping shared her "afternoon of life" journey. At 66, she remains active in entertainment, continuously learning, writing, and painting. She emphasized that age should not be a barrier: "It wasn’t until after 60 that I truly began living on my own terms. Believe that the afternoon sun can still be bright and warm." Her vitality demonstrates that old age can be another phase of self-exploration and creativity.
In a dialogue on "Visible and Invisible Age-Related Illnesses," Dr. Sun Xiaohong, Director of Geriatrics at Peking Union Medical College Hospital, pointed out that as lifespans increase, the trend of "younger elderly caring for older elderly" is becoming more common. She stressed the physical and psychological toll on these caregivers, advocating for the development of a skilled professional workforce to support elderly care.
Professors Jing Jun from Tsinghua University and Hu Yong from Peking University explored the delicate balance between longevity and dignity from the perspectives of caregiver struggles and societal perceptions. Hu Yong identified common misconceptions about aging, such as equating it solely with frailty and illness or viewing eldercare as an individual responsibility.
Professor Jing Jun noted that AI could bring breakthroughs in aging-related services but cautioned against over-reliance on technology. "Chinese society must rely on family structures to fulfill eldercare needs, supported by a diversified care system," he said.
On living spaces, Professor Zhou Yanmin from Tsinghua University emphasized that age-friendly renovations should prioritize "precision and humanization," aiming to help the elderly maintain independence and dignity for as long as possible. She warned against well-intentioned but impractical designs, such as overly complex smart curtains that create usability issues.
KE Holdings Inc. stated that the "elderly dilemma" reflects collective challenges arising from individual struggles. While the company’s philanthropic efforts address only part of the issue, the Report and salon aim to amplify the voices of the elderly, encouraging broader societal engagement in solutions.
As China’s population ages, ensuring dignified and quality aging for all has become an urgent societal imperative. KE Holdings Inc.’s initiative not only documents current realities but also sparks a vital public dialogue on the journey of life.