Every morning, when many residents rush out of the apartment building to start a working day, the yard at the foot of the buildings becomes a private space for retired people.
In the large yard in front of the apartment building, the elderly participate in many activities. Pedestrians, health workers, and people sitting on stone benches chatting.
Stories sometimes only revolve around the weather, children, grandchildren, or a few small things in life, but for many people, that is the time that makes a new day less long.
Today, many elderly people choose to move from landed houses to apartments to facilitate life, be close to their children and easily access essential services.
In some families, dinner becomes a rare time when the whole family can sit together. Most of the time in the day, the elderly retirees stay in their apartments, watching TV or going down to the lobby, walking, and interacting with each other to change the atmosphere.
Being at home a lot is also tiring
Every morning, Mr. Mai Thanh Tung (73 years old, Hanoi) also spends some time taking his grandchild down to the apartment yard for a walk. For him, it is not only time to take care of his grandchild but also an opportunity for himself to leave the four walls.
“Every day I usually spend about 30-45 minutes in the morning taking my grandchild for a walk or sometimes just simply going down to sit and play, changing the atmosphere. Staying at home a lot is also tiring,” Mr. Tung shared.
At the age of over 60, Mr. Tung said that he is used to having his own jobs and schedules for his children and grandchildren. It is already precious for the whole family to have dinner together.
My children and grandchildren are all busy with work. Taking time to have dinner together is already precious. Being alone all day, I'm used to it," he said.
For Ms. Bui Thi Ly (74 years old, Hanoi), joy in the day sometimes does not need anything too great. Just need to have friends in the same apartment building to meet, chat and share everyday stories.
I see that every day I can talk and confide in friends of the same generation, from the same place, and then spend time with my children and grandchildren in the evening, that's already very fun," Ms. Ly said.
Chats and exchanges between old friends become a joy and daily habit.
Some people make appointments to walk every morning. Some groups practice dưỡng sinh together. Some people simply sit on stone benches, waiting for an acquaintance to pass by to start a conversation.
Among high-rise apartment buildings, small yards or a few stone benches that seem to be just a part of the common living space are having special meaning for many elderly people.
It is where they meet friends, maintain exercise habits and, more importantly, find their own community.
