CHINAHOY

HOME

2014-June-24

A Young Man’s Dream of Serving Elders

Not Measurable by Money

Yan Shuai has always endeavored to deliver good services at relatively low prices. “I’m working to establish our own brand of related products, hoping to supplement the nursing home’s incomes.” In 2012, the Puleyuan trademark was registered. “Our products may range from adult diapers to ambulance vehicles. The income generated by these products will enable us to open a chain of homes for the elderly and build standardized service teams. We may gradually gain a large set of clientele, and deliver further services and products according to their needs.”

The over-60 population in China now numbers around 200 million, accounting for 14.9 percent of the national population. This age group is expected to boom in the next two decades, and will probably take up one third of the Chinese population by 2050. The elderly services business has a huge market and the profit margin is projected to grow.

Nevertheless, Yan Shuai adheres to his low-price philosophy. He had been approached by someone who wanted to buy the Puleyuan for RMB 24 million, planning to transform it into a high-end facility catering to rich seniors. But Yan rejected the offer. “It was big money. I could live a comfortable life just off the interest, rather than cope with such pressures on a daily basis. But how could I neglect all the seniors living on modest retirement pensions? Most old people need affordable homes.”

“The meaning of life lies in the creation of value. It is meaningless to indulge in a life of wealth without contributing to society. And wealth is not always measured in terms of money,” Yan concluded.

 

      1   2   3   4