The festive season is over and many elderly people who joined their families for the Spring Festival have now returned to their everyday lives - and the challenge of living on their own.

"The elderly are vulnerable," says Miao Lifu, a cardiologist at Tsinghua University No 1 Hospital in Beijing. "Too much excitement or overtiredness will increase the likelihood of heart and brain diseases."

Miao says that after the festival, there has been a notable rise in the number of elderly patients at his hospital.

He says most are aged between 60 and 70, and many arrived in ambulances with relatives, rather than their children.

The elderly living in empty-nest homes are particularly vulnerable to common diseases, because they tend to overlook the symptoms of these diseases before they become serious, Miao says.

Holidays may worsen the situation, says Xu Yushen, a cardiovascular diseases specialist at Beijing Tongren Hospital, particularly in respect to heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure.

The cold winter weather, combined with either the joyfulness of the family reunion or the sadness when it comes to saying goodbye, will narrow the blood vessels, increasing blood pressure and the incidence of coronary heart diseases and strokes, Xu explains.

Additionally, some patients stop taking their medicines during the holidays because they don't want to worry their children, and others won't go to hospital, even if they feel uncomfortable, Xu says.

"Children should be more considerate of their parents' situations," Miao, the heart diseases specialist, says.

The elderly living alone should also be aware of their health risks, Miao adds.

Luo Wenxiu, 61, lives alone in Yichang, Hubei province. Her only son lives and works in Beijing.

"We speak to each other by phone for a couple of minutes every week," Luo says. "I know he is busy and often works late, and I understand the situation he is in."

Luo manages to live an interesting and fulfilling life on her own as she dances, plays computer games and makes money on the stock market.

Her son spent time with her during the Spring Festival, but after he left, she felt lonely and sad.

"I tried to return to my regular life, but it was hard."

Luo says many other people she knows are in a similar situation.

Pang Yu, a psychologist and vice-director of Beijing Huilongguan Hospital, says: "The mental well-being of the elderly in empty-nest families is another concern."

The empty nest effect is more pronounced among certain groups of old people, such as those with dependent personalities, and during certain times, such as after a reunion with loved ones, Pang says.

"Children should be patient if their parents call a lot because that is a signal they are trying to adjust to the departure," Pang says.

If their parents develop a sleep disorder or if there is big change in their personalities - such as a tender person turning into someone quick-tempered, or the opposite - then it is advisable to see a doctor.

China Daily

(China Daily 02/15/2012 page19)