Woman village officials from across the nation gathered to discuss how to take better care of elderly villagers at a two-day forum recently held by the non-government Beijing Cultural Development Center for Rural Women. Participants shared diverse experiences in nursing the elderly by networking government support and the efforts of individuals, non-government organizations and village committees. For instance, Haotang village in Henan province's Xinyang established a mutual-support society which raises money to support the elderly population. Researchers of aging issues say that whatever approach people adopt to solve the graying problem, the elder's independence should be respected.