Elderly Chinese Man Seeks Adoptive Family So He Won’t Die Alone

A desperate octogenarian in Tianjin, northern China, has taken his search for a “loving” family to fliers so that he won’t end up dying alone in a nursing home.

In handwritten ads posted around the city, Han, 85, promised that he’s strong-bodied and can cook, shop, and take care of himself, noting that he has no chronic diseases.

The retired employee of a scientific research institute added that he receives a monthly pension of 6,000 yuan ($915).

Han has been all by himself since 1984. He has two sons — one moved to Canada in 2003 and actually supported his search for an adoptive family.

The other, who works for a local hospital, rarely visited him.

In an interview with Beijing Youth Daily, he shared that he decided to put himself up for adoption after hearing a similar story few years ago. He has since received countless calls, but none took him home yet.

Han maintained that he doesn’t want to live in a nursing home.

He had stayed in some previously, but after visiting more, he complained about the food and claimed that some are only interested in their pension.

Han’s story went viral quickly, with some blaming his family — and even him — for what’s happening. Others believe the situation will become more common as time goes on.

Netizens wrote on Weibo:

“How desperate it is for a family to put up such note? I hope that he can have a warm home and that his sons wake up!”

“Children are unfilial because their parents did not teach them how to be filial.”

“I’m out of breath. I can only stay with my parents.”

“With society aging, there will only be more of this phenomenon.”

“I will never let my parents end up in this situation.”

Check out his interview below:

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