Wang Jin'e, 77, has been looking for a nursing home for 10 years.

She lost her only son 15 years ago, and without a guardian as warrantor, Wang and her husband have been repeatedly rejected from care homes.

"After my son died of a heart attack, my husband and I lost the only person we could depend upon and our hope of a life. It has been a nightmare for us," said Wang. "None of the nursing homes in Beijing would take the risk of accepting us."