What It Costs to Care for My Two Aging Parents in Rural China

is very hope it stays Lucky forever. It is very well behaved and I really like it. This is Ly's first time meeting Mumu. I This is Ly's first time meeting Mumu. I This is Ly's first time meeting Mumu. I wonder if they'll get along well. Breakfast was pretty simple. Mom boiled Breakfast was pretty simple. Mom boiled Breakfast was pretty simple. Mom boiled some corn. And we also bought some fried dough And we also bought some fried dough And we also bought some fried dough sticks and flatbread. sticks and flatbread. sticks and flatbread. The bread we

bought a couple of days ago The bread we bought a couple of days ago The bread we bought a couple of days ago hadn't been eaten yet, so it was perfect hadn't been eaten yet, so it was perfect hadn't been eaten yet, so it was perfect for breakfast this morning. The corn was homegrown, so I didn't The corn was homegrown, so I didn't The corn was homegrown, so I didn't count it in the cost of $0. I also made my parents two egg drinks. I also made my parents two egg drinks. I also made my parents two egg drinks. That way, it is easier to swallow and it That

way, it is easier to swallow and it That way, it is easier to swallow and it also gives them some protein. It is also gives them some protein. It is also gives them some protein. It is economical, practical, and nutritious. economical, practical, and nutritious. economical, practical, and nutritious. Right now, eggs here cost 5.5 y per Right now, eggs here cost 5.5 y per Right now, eggs here cost 5.5 y per gene, about half a kilo. A gene is gene, about half a kilo. A gene is gene, about half a kilo. A gene is roughly 8 to 10 eggs. So, one egg comes

roughly 8 to 10 eggs. So, one egg comes roughly 8 to 10 eggs. So, one egg comes out to about 0 6. Two eggs cost 1.2 yen, out to about 0 6. Two eggs cost 1.2 yen, out to about 0 6. Two eggs cost 1.2 yen, which is about 20 cents. >> My parents are getting older now and >> My parents are getting older now and >> My parents are getting older now and can't eat much. counting me this can't eat much. counting me this can't eat much. counting me this morning. I had one fried dough stick, morning. I had one fried dough stick, morning. I had one

fried dough stick, one piece of flatbread, four pieces of one piece of flatbread, four pieces of one piece of flatbread, four pieces of bread, and two eggs. The fried dough bread, and two eggs. The fried dough bread, and two eggs. The fried dough stick and the flatbread were 1.5 yen stick and the flatbread were 1.5 yen stick and the flatbread were 1.5 yen each. The four pieces of bread were each. The four pieces of bread were each. The four pieces of bread were about 2 yen, so breakfast cost 6.2 yen about 2 yen, so breakfast cost 6.2 yen about 2 yen, so

breakfast cost 6.2 yen in total, or about 90 cents. I've only had Lucky for a few days, so I I've only had Lucky for a few days, so I I've only had Lucky for a few days, so I need to spend more time with it to build need to spend more time with it to build need to spend more time with it to build our bond. I already see it as my own our bond. I already see it as my own our bond. I already see it as my own child. child. child. >> So caring for it feels just like the way >> So caring for it feels just like the way >> So caring for it

feels just like the way I used to care for my daughter. Now my I used to care for my daughter. Now my I used to care for my daughter. Now my daughter is married and having Lucky daughter is married and having Lucky daughter is married and having Lucky with me every day is pretty nice. Going go go go over. Even though my parents and I live in the Even though my parents and I live in the Even though my parents and I live in the same village and are very close to each same village and are very close to each same village and are very close to each other, I

don't come over every day. When other, I don't come over every day. When other, I don't come over every day. When I am busy, I just can't always make it I am busy, I just can't always make it I am busy, I just can't always make it over. So, every time I come to my over. So, every time I come to my over. So, every time I come to my parents' place, I try to do as much as I parents' place, I try to do as much as I parents' place, I try to do as much as I can to make things easier for them. Nobody. My dad takes a lot of medicine every My dad takes a lot of

medicine every My dad takes a lot of medicine every day, so I always sort it into peel boxes day, so I always sort it into peel boxes day, so I always sort it into peel boxes for him ahead of time. That way, he for him ahead of time. That way, he for him ahead of time. That way, he won't take the wrong medicine. The orchids in the yard have bloomed. The orchids in the yard have bloomed. The orchids in the yard have bloomed. They only bloom once a year and they're They only bloom once a year and they're They only bloom once a year and they're really

beautiful. Even my mom couldn't really beautiful. Even my mom couldn't really beautiful. Even my mom couldn't help singing. I couldn't make out the help singing. I couldn't make out the help singing. I couldn't make out the song. Maybe it was something from her song. Maybe it was something from her song. Maybe it was something from her generation. You could see she was really generation. You could see she was really generation. You could see she was really happy. This plant is called kolas. It grows This plant is called kolas. It grows This plant is

called kolas. It grows fast and it is really pretty. >> >> Every time I come over, I chat with my >> Every time I come over, I chat with my >> Every time I come over, I chat with my parents for a while. We talk about parents for a while. We talk about parents for a while. We talk about everyday family stuff and gossip about everyday family stuff and gossip about everyday family stuff and gossip about other people just to help my parents other people just to help my parents other people just to help my parents pass the time.

Another way we pass the time is by Another way we pass the time is by Another way we pass the time is by watching do. That is pretty much become watching do. That is pretty much become watching do. That is pretty much become our main way to pass the time. Now it our main way to pass the time. Now it our main way to pass the time. Now it feels like almost everyone in China feels like almost everyone in China feels like almost everyone in China can't leave without their phone. My mom can't leave without their phone. My mom can't leave without their phone.

My mom and I both like watching funny short and I both like watching funny short and I both like watching funny short skits from local influencers. skits from local influencers. skits from local influencers. They're really funny. >> Eating costs money and feeding dogs >> Eating costs money and feeding dogs >> Eating costs money and feeding dogs costs money, too. costs money, too. costs money, too. My parents have four dogs in total. My parents have four dogs in total. My parents have four dogs in total. Besides Mumu, there are three

more Besides Mumu, there are three more Besides Mumu, there are three more upstairs. They're a bit aggressive, and upstairs. They're a bit aggressive, and upstairs. They're a bit aggressive, and we're afraid they might bite someone, so we're afraid they might bite someone, so we're afraid they might bite someone, so we keep them upstairs. Luckily, dogs in we keep them upstairs. Luckily, dogs in we keep them upstairs. Luckily, dogs in the countryside are pretty easy to look the countryside are pretty easy to look the countryside are pretty easy to look

after. They mostly eat leftover food. after. They mostly eat leftover food. after. They mostly eat leftover food. They go through just one big They go through just one big They go through just one big bag of dog food a month and that costs bag of dog food a month and that costs bag of dog food a month and that costs 200 yen. That workite is 6.67 yen a day 200 yen. That workite is 6.67 yen a day 200 yen. That workite is 6.67 yen a day or about $1. >> Today for lunch we ate rice and stir >> Today for lunch we ate rice and stir >> Today

for lunch we ate rice and stir fried dishes. I need to make a few extra fried dishes. I need to make a few extra fried dishes. I need to make a few extra dishes. My daughter has the day off dishes. My daughter has the day off dishes. My daughter has the day off today. She and my granddaughter will be today. She and my granddaughter will be today. She and my granddaughter will be coming over for lunch. We didn't go coming over for lunch. We didn't go coming over for lunch. We didn't go grocery shopping today because we still grocery shopping today because

we still grocery shopping today because we still have plenty of vegetables at home. We have plenty of vegetables at home. We have plenty of vegetables at home. We usually go to the supermarket or the usually go to the supermarket or the usually go to the supermarket or the village produce stand about once a week village produce stand about once a week village produce stand about once a week mainly to buy vegetables we don't grow mainly to buy vegetables we don't grow mainly to buy vegetables we don't grow ourselves. plus meat, eggs, tofu, and ourselves.

plus meat, eggs, tofu, and ourselves. plus meat, eggs, tofu, and things like that. We have a vegetable garden right by the We have a vegetable garden right by the We have a vegetable garden right by the front door. We grow lots of things here front door. We grow lots of things here front door. We grow lots of things here like cucumbers, green beans, and like cucumbers, green beans, and like cucumbers, green beans, and tomatoes. tomatoes. tomatoes. It is basically enough to eat. So, we It is basically enough to eat. So, we It is basically enough to eat.

So, we don't buy many vegetables. We spend don't buy many vegetables. We spend don't buy many vegetables. We spend about 50 yen a week on groceries, which about 50 yen a week on groceries, which about 50 yen a week on groceries, which comes to 7 yen a day or about a dollar. Oh, and rice too. I usually buy rice Oh, and rice too. I usually buy rice Oh, and rice too. I usually buy rice loose by weight. It is more affordable. loose by weight. It is more affordable. loose by weight. It is more affordable. It is 2.5 yen per gene, about half a It is 2.5 yen per

gene, about half a It is 2.5 yen per gene, about half a kilo. We ate about half a gin at lunch kilo. We ate about half a gin at lunch kilo. We ate about half a gin at lunch today, so that was 1.25 yen, about 18 today, so that was 1.25 yen, about 18 today, so that was 1.25 yen, about 18 cents. That is actually still on the cents. That is actually still on the cents. That is actually still on the expensive side. If we had eaten noodles, expensive side. If we had eaten noodles, expensive side. If we had eaten noodles, it might have been even cheaper. So, it

might have been even cheaper. So, it might have been even cheaper. So, lunch cost about $1.18 lunch cost about $1.18 lunch cost about $1.18 in total. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Hello. My daughter and her family came over My daughter and her family came over My daughter and her family came over while we waited for the food. while we waited for the food. while we waited for the food. The two of them played for a while. Even The two of them played for a while. Even The two of them played for a while. Even though my daughter is already a mom now, though my daughter

is already a mom now, though my daughter is already a mom now, she still acts like a kid. It feels like she still acts like a kid. It feels like she still acts like a kid. It feels like she never really grew up. How much? I didn't have Can you get down? My granddaughter Kelly also really likes My granddaughter Kelly also really likes My granddaughter Kelly also really likes Lucky. Every time she sees Lucky, she Lucky. Every time she sees Lucky, she Lucky. Every time she sees Lucky, she doesn't even play with her favorite toy doesn't even play with her

favorite toy doesn't even play with her favorite toy anymore. She wants to take Lucky with anymore. She wants to take Lucky with anymore. She wants to take Lucky with her wherever she goes. Lucky is still pretty timid. Just now it Lucky is still pretty timid. Just now it Lucky is still pretty timid. Just now it got scared by the dogs outside. My got scared by the dogs outside. My got scared by the dogs outside. My daughter kept comforting it. And we got >> The food was finally ready. Time to eat. >> The food was finally ready. Time to eat.

>> The food was finally ready. Time to eat. It took quite a while to make today's It took quite a while to make today's It took quite a while to make today's meal. >> >> Mumu is so cute. It even knows to step >> Mumu is so cute. It even knows to step >> Mumu is so cute. It even knows to step aside and make room for us. There is a aside and make room for us. There is a aside and make room for us. There is a Chinese saying, "A good dog doesn't Chinese saying, "A good dog doesn't Chinese saying, "A good dog doesn't block the

way." That really does make block the way." That really does make block the way." That really does make sense. Looks like Mumu really is a good sense. Looks like Mumu really is a good sense. Looks like Mumu really is a good dog. No doubt about it. How does my cooking look? Let me tell How does my cooking look? Let me tell How does my cooking look? Let me tell you a little secret. It doesn't just you a little secret. It doesn't just you a little secret. It doesn't just look good, it tastes good, too. Did I look good, it tastes good, too. Did I look good,

it tastes good, too. Did I make you hungry? Haha. Y It is really nice when the whole family It is really nice when the whole family It is really nice when the whole family eats together. We had people of all ages eats together. We had people of all ages eats together. We had people of all ages there today from the old to the middle there today from the old to the middle there today from the old to the middle age to the young and the kids. We didn't finish all the dishes. When I We didn't finish all the dishes. When I We didn't finish all the dishes. When

I cook, I usually make a little extra on cook, I usually make a little extra on cook, I usually make a little extra on purpose. That way, I can feed the dogs, purpose. That way, I can feed the dogs, purpose. That way, I can feed the dogs, too. Sometimes the leftovers are enough too. Sometimes the leftovers are enough too. Sometimes the leftovers are enough for my parents to have for dinner. In the afternoon, my second and third In the afternoon, my second and third In the afternoon, my second and third sisters came over, too. Later, we'll buy sisters

came over, too. Later, we'll buy sisters came over, too. Later, we'll buy medicine for our parents, and then we'll medicine for our parents, and then we'll medicine for our parents, and then we'll all go take a look around my second all go take a look around my second all go take a look around my second sister's new home. My parents both have sister's new home. My parents both have sister's new home. My parents both have coronary heart disease and other chronic coronary heart disease and other chronic coronary heart disease and other chronic illnesses.

My dad also has high blood illnesses. My dad also has high blood illnesses. My dad also has high blood pressure and high blood sugar, so they pressure and high blood sugar, so they pressure and high blood sugar, so they have to take medicine all year round. have to take medicine all year round. have to take medicine all year round. Today, I plan to go to the hospital and Today, I plan to go to the hospital and Today, I plan to go to the hospital and buy them more so they'd have enough for buy them more so they'd have enough for buy them more so they'd

have enough for a while. In China, a lot of medicines aren't In China, a lot of medicines aren't In China, a lot of medicines aren't something you can just buy whenever you something you can just buy whenever you something you can just buy whenever you want. They check all corners of want. They check all corners of want. They check all corners of paperwork and proof first. Otherwise, paperwork and proof first. Otherwise, paperwork and proof first. Otherwise, they won't sell you that much. they won't sell you that much. they won't sell you that much. Only

after the doctor writes the Only after the doctor writes the Only after the doctor writes the prescription can you go pay. After you pay, you can pick up the After you pay, you can pick up the After you pay, you can pick up the medicine. >> Turn it on. Box after box after box. It ends up Box after box after box. It ends up Box after box after box. It ends up being a huge bag full of medicine. Today being a huge bag full of medicine. Today being a huge bag full of medicine. Today we bought 2 months worth in total. It we bought 2 months worth in

total. It we bought 2 months worth in total. It cost 616.5 cost 616.5 cost 616.5 yen or 10.27 yen a day, about $1.5. yen or 10.27 yen a day, about $1.5. yen or 10.27 yen a day, about $1.5. There is nothing you can do. When people There is nothing you can do. When people There is nothing you can do. When people get old, they spend all day dealing with get old, they spend all day dealing with get old, they spend all day dealing with medicine. I don't know if things are any medicine. I don't know if things are any medicine. I don't know if things are any

better where you live. No matter what, better where you live. No matter what, better where you live. No matter what, you have to have good health to get you have to have good health to get you have to have good health to get through life. You only really understand through life. You only really understand through life. You only really understand that when you get to my age, health is that when you get to my age, health is that when you get to my age, health is the most important thing. We're getting ready to head to my second We're getting ready to head

to my second We're getting ready to head to my second sister's place. Near my second sister's sister's place. Near my second sister's sister's place. Near my second sister's home, there is a local place called home, there is a local place called home, there is a local place called Donang Huay. I heard it is decorated Donang Huay. I heard it is decorated Donang Huay. I heard it is decorated really nicely. It is still early, so I really nicely. It is still early, so I really nicely. It is still early, so I plan to take my parents there for a plan to take

my parents there for a plan to take my parents there for a walk. Hey mama. Hello This place is newly built. There are This place is newly built. There are This place is newly built. There are restaurants there and shops selling restaurants there and shops selling restaurants there and shops selling clothes. It is also a local spot people clothes. It is also a local spot people clothes. It is also a local spot people like to visit and take photos at. It like to visit and take photos at. It like to visit and take photos at. It looks pretty nice. The

economy hasn't looks pretty nice. The economy hasn't looks pretty nice. The economy hasn't been great in recent years. In our area, been great in recent years. In our area, been great in recent years. In our area, the main focus in the last few years has the main focus in the last few years has the main focus in the last few years has been tourism. That has also brought a been tourism. That has also brought a been tourism. That has also brought a lot of visitors from other places. To be lot of visitors from other places. To be lot of visitors from other

places. To be honest, even though our city is small, honest, even though our city is small, honest, even though our city is small, the climate and environment are pretty the climate and environment are pretty the climate and environment are pretty good. It is a really nice place to live. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. One piece of clothing costs 45 yen. One piece of clothing costs 45 yen. One piece of clothing costs 45 yen. Ching Chong may not be a big place, but Ching Chong may not be a big place, but Ching Chong may not be a big place, but prices are definitely not

low. I'd never prices are definitely not low. I'd never prices are definitely not low. I'd never buy clothes that expensive. It is way buy clothes that expensive. It is way buy clothes that expensive. It is way too much for me. Thank you, John. As we kept walking around, it got dark. As we kept walking around, it got dark. As we kept walking around, it got dark. When we got to my second sister's place When we got to my second sister's place When we got to my second sister's place today, she invited us to eat grilled today, she invited us to eat grilled

today, she invited us to eat grilled fish. I heard the fish here tastes fish. I heard the fish here tastes fish. I heard the fish here tastes really good. She wanted my dad and mom really good. She wanted my dad and mom really good. She wanted my dad and mom to try it. After all, they don't go to to try it. After all, they don't go to to try it. After all, they don't go to restaurants very often. It is not that restaurants very often. It is not that restaurants very often. It is not that we don't want to spend the money. It is we don't want to spend the

money. It is we don't want to spend the money. It is just that my parents really aren't used just that my parents really aren't used just that my parents really aren't used to restaurant food. One fish cost 139 to restaurant food. One fish cost 139 to restaurant food. One fish cost 139 yen. That really isn't cheap. We ordered yen. That really isn't cheap. We ordered yen. That really isn't cheap. We ordered two, so the total came to $278, two, so the total came to $278, two, so the total came to $278, about $39.8. $8. Normally, my parents' about $39.8.

$8. Normally, my parents' about $39.8. $8. Normally, my parents' dinner would be much simpler. It would dinner would be much simpler. It would dinner would be much simpler. It would only cost about 5 yen or around.7 cents. The night view here looks pretty nice, The night view here looks pretty nice, The night view here looks pretty nice, too. It looks better at night when the too. It looks better at night when the too. It looks better at night when the lights are on. It has a bit of a tourist lights are on. It has a bit of a tourist lights are on. It has

a bit of a tourist spot feel to it. Now >> this is my second sister's new house. It >> this is my second sister's new house. It >> this is my second sister's new house. It is our first time here. It really looks is our first time here. It really looks is our first time here. It really looks nice. I am genuinely happy for her as nice. I am genuinely happy for her as nice. I am genuinely happy for her as her life keeps getting better and her life keeps getting better and her life keeps getting better and better. On top of food and

medicine, my better. On top of food and medicine, my better. On top of food and medicine, my parents' daily expenses also include parents' daily expenses also include parents' daily expenses also include water, electricity, and gas. Water water, electricity, and gas. Water water, electricity, and gas. Water doesn't cost anything here. The village doesn't cost anything here. The village doesn't cost anything here. The village supplies it for free. Electricity is supplies it for free. Electricity is supplies it for free. Electricity is about 20 yen a

month. That works out to about 20 yen a month. That works out to about 20 yen a month. That works out to 0.67 67 yen a day or about 10 cents. We 0.67 67 yen a day or about 10 cents. We 0.67 67 yen a day or about 10 cents. We mainly use gas when cooking. It costs mainly use gas when cooking. It costs mainly use gas when cooking. It costs about 300 yen a year, which comes to about 300 yen a year, which comes to about 300 yen a year, which comes to 0.84 yen a day or about 12 cents. Let's add it all up. Food for all three Let's add it all up. Food for all

three Let's add it all up. Food for all three meals comes to about $2.78 meals comes to about $2.78 meals comes to about $2.78 a day. Dog food is $1 a day. Medicine is a day. Dog food is $1 a day. Medicine is a day. Dog food is $1 a day. Medicine is about $1.5 a day. Electricity is about about $1.5 a day. Electricity is about about $1.5 a day. Electricity is about 10 cents. Gas is about 12 cents. So, the 10 cents. Gas is about 12 cents. So, the 10 cents. Gas is about 12 cents. So, the total daily cost is about $5.5. total daily cost is about $5.5. total

daily cost is about $5.5. This is what a real day costs for my This is what a real day costs for my This is what a real day costs for my parents in rural China. Do you think parents in rural China. Do you think parents in rural China. Do you think that is a lot? I don't know how it is that is a lot? I don't know how it is that is a lot? I don't know how it is where you live. Honestly, besides money, where you live. Honestly, besides money, where you live. Honestly, besides money, I think the biggest cost of taking care I think the biggest cost of taking

care I think the biggest cost of taking care of parents is the energy it takes. of parents is the energy it takes. of parents is the energy it takes. >> What do you think?