Su Meiying answers her phone in U100's canteen, where she is sipping tea while talking to a realtor about selling the two-bedroom apartment she and her husband no longer need.

"The staff is as good as any luxury hotel's," Su said.

"It's like we live in our own home. But the service is like that of a hospital."

The couple's son and daughter live in a neighboring city and are too busy to care for them.

"My son and daughter agreed to let us live here," Su said. "Otherwise, they'd worry about us."

"We don't believe there's anywhere better to live. The facilities and conditions are really quite good," Su added.

That's partly because U100 Pension Apartments is part of the medical and healthcare company, Ao-yang Group. Zhangjiagang's U100's manager Ji Liuyi was previously an Aoyang Hospital doctor. On the staff are doctors, nurses, nutritionists, physiotherapists and podiatrists.

Welfare and many group activities for retired people are funded by local governments and communities. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Senior citizens' living spaces require modifications standard furniture does not offer, and the company couldn't find a source for furniture tailored for the elderly's needs.

The company hired Beijing-based architect Zhou Yanmin. The Tokyo University graduate specializes in amenities for the elderly.

"It's difficult to find such home items in China," Zhou said.