Many couples across China have come forward to adopt children orphaned by the Sichuan earthquake.

While earthquake orphans are being taken care of, the China Youth Daily carries a commentary reminding people to pay more attention to parents who lost their children in the disaster.

The paper says that it's natural for the society to care more for children, because they need more support, physically and psychologically.

However, the paper points out that people should not ignore heirless elderly victims of the quake. They too are weak and in great need of help.

It says many parents have lost their children, and have been experiencing the same grief as orphaned children. Some of them sustained injuries while trying to protect their children in the quake.

The paper says that we may not be able to feel the pain of the old now, but will definitely understand it when we get old ourselves.

The paper therefore appeals those considering adopting a quake orphans to also think of way to look after these heirless old victims.

As many of the aged victims of the quake are unwilling to move away from their hometown, the commentary says people should donate money and set up special funds to hire local people to take care of these elders. Moreover, it suggests people in quake zones pay more visits and interact more with old victims.