China carer devotes life to solitary elderly man for 12 years, gets 5 flats worth millions in thanks for efforts
A court in China has awarded a caretaker five properties potentially worth millions of dollars after he diligently cared for a solitary elderly man for 12 years.
The ruling has won plaudits online for “rewarding good deeds with good rewards”.
The elderly man, surnamed Ruan, was born in Beijing in 1930 and had never married or started a family.
When his parents died at a young age, Ruan found himself becoming increasingly isolated as he aged, reported Beijing Evening News.
In 2011, Ruan realized he was struggling to care for himself in his older years, so he contacted his local village committee for assistance.
They connected him with the younger man, surnamed Liu, who had a good reputation in the village.
The two agreed that Liu would care for Ruan until his death, which included keeping his living standards in line with the village’s expectations. In return, Liu would inherit Ruan’s properties.
Liu was immediately dedicated to the job, even moving his entire family into Ruan’s home to make it easier to care for the man.
The family captured various heartwarming moments on video, such as showcasing a celebration of Ruan’s birthdays.
Other moments included Liu’s grandchildren bowing to Ruan to wish him a happy new year and a granddaughter helping to wash Ruan’s feet.
In October 2023, Ruan passed away only seven months after receiving five properties in Beijing as compensation for the demolition of his nearly 800-square-metre home to make way for a more extensive development.
According to Anjuke, a prominent online platform for real estate sales and rentals in China, the average listing price for previously owned flats in Beijing in March was 52,184 yuan (US$7,200) per square metre.
This suggests that the five properties could potentially be worth millions of dollars.
Following Ruan’s death, Liu was forced to sue the man’s sister and two nieces, asking the court to validate the care agreement and assist with the transfer of the properties.
Throughout the trial, many villagers testified about Liu’s heartfelt care.
One villager said: “Ruan had poor lungs, and Liu installed five oxygen machines for him. Liu ensured Ruan had boiled eggs and milk every morning for over a decade, frequently changing up the breakfast menu with porridge, noodles and stewed meat.”
The court confirmed that Ruan’s niece and sister seldom visited after Liu began the care routine, so the court ruled in favour of Liu.
This decision received overwhelming support online.
“From the beginning, Liu took care of the elderly man without knowing anything about the five properties. His initial intentions were purely kind-hearted. The reward came later and is well deserved,” wrote one person.
Another online observer said: “Caring for someone for 12 years is not a small feat. Not many can show such perseverance. Ruan doesn’t owe anything to the relatives, so why shouldn’t Liu inherit the properties? He absolutely deserves the inheritance!”
China is grappling with a rapidly ageing population.
According to the World Health Organization, the population of people over 60 years old in China is projected to reach 28 per cent by 2040, largely due to longer life expectancy and declining fertility rates.
The demographic shift is making elderly care a significant challenge for the country.
