Elderly Chinese Woman Offers Property and Salary for a "Daughter" Caretaker Amid Family Estrangement

The woman divorced her husband years ago and lost contact with most of her relatives. (Representational)

An elderly Chinese woman from Henan province, identified as Ma, is searching for a "daughter" online who would provide care for her in her advancing years. As an incentive, she is offering accommodation in one of her flats and a monthly stipend.

During a television program aired on November 19, Ma discussed her deteriorating health conditions, mentioning that her biological children have not been visiting her despite her suffering from asthma and mobility issues that prevent her from walking even short distances of 100 metres, according to The South China Morning Post. She emphasized her need for daily assistance and companionship.

The senior citizen is willing to provide one of her two apartments, her possessions, and a monthly pension of 3,000 yuan (approximately Rs 38,000) to any woman who agrees to become her caretaker. She has also expressed willingness to formalize this arrangement through a contract.

Following her divorce, Ma has become estranged from most of her family members. Her elder biological daughter reportedly wishes to cut all ties with her, while her younger daughter suffers from a mental disability that renders her unable to provide the necessary care.

Xi Junqi, an attorney from the Henan Zhongdi Law Firm, pointed out that Ma's elder daughter has a legal responsibility to support her mother that cannot be avoided. He also advised that anyone who agrees to become Ma's "daughter" should enter into a formal legacy support agreement.

This situation has sparked varied responses online, with some individuals expressing interest in applying for the position while others question whether such an arrangement could work successfully.

One commenter observed, "Given that she won't even bequeath her property to her elder daughter, I doubt she would treat a new 'daughter' well."

In a comparable case from over a decade ago, a 94-year-old Chinese woman filed a lawsuit against her children for neglect. This case received worldwide attention in 2013 and highlighted the emerging issue in China's aging population.

According to a comprehensive survey conducted by the Ministry of Civil Affairs in 2021, approximately 60 percent of mainland Chinese citizens aged 60 and above were classified as "empty nesters," living without their children.