With Taiwan set to become a “super-aged society” by 2025, the government is ramping up efforts to provide more comprehensive and integrated long-term care services for its aging population. In a recent interview, Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun announced that Taiwan’s Long-Term Care Plan 3.0 will be launched in the first half of next year, focusing on enhancing caregiving services, providing relief to home caregivers, and improving the overall quality of care for the elderly.
Taiwan, which has been steadily aging over the past few decades, is projected to formally enter the ranks of a “super-aged society” by 2025. The Long-Term Care Plan 3.0 is expected to address the increasing demand for eldercare, which has become an urgent priority for the government as the country faces challenges associated with its aging demographic.
Taiwan’s Aging Trend: From “Aging Society” to “Super-Aged Society”
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a “super-aged society” is defined as a nation where 20% or more of its population is aged 65 or older. Taiwan, which officially became an “aging society” in 1993 and an “aged society” in 2018, is now on track to meet the criteria of a super-aged society by 2025.
This demographic shift has been driven by a combination of increasing life expectancy, declining birth rates, and improvements in healthcare. By 2025, it is expected that nearly 20% of Taiwan’s population will be 65 or older, placing immense pressure on the country’s healthcare and welfare systems.
In response to these challenges, Taiwan’s government is committed to implementing policies that will strengthen care for the elderly while supporting families who are taking on caregiving responsibilities.
Long-Term Care Plan 3.0: Enhancing Services and Support for Families
Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun emphasized that the new Long-Term Care Program 3.0 will build on the successes of its predecessors, particularly the Long-Term Care Plan 2.0 introduced in 2016. Under Plan 2.0, the government significantly expanded the availability of caregiving services, including home care, health promotion, and dining services for elderly people.
In 2023, Taiwan saw a significant increase in the percentage of individuals receiving long-term care services, with the ratio rising to 80.19%, up from 69.51% in 2022 and 56.60% in 2021. These improvements were made possible by increased government investment and the expansion of service providers and venues. The goal for the next four years is to provide care services to 87% of those in need.
Key Features of the Long-Term Care Plan 3.0
The Long-Term Care Plan 3.0 will focus on several key areas to address the challenges of caregiving in Taiwan:
- Home Care System Expansion
One of the major goals of the new plan is to improve the home care system. This will involve integrating family doctor systems with home caregiving services to create a comprehensive support network for patients being cared for at home. Additionally, the plan will provide emergency care services at night to relieve the burden on caregivers, allowing them to take essential breaks. - Support for Families with Critically Ill Members
The plan will provide more support to families caring for relatives with severe illnesses. This includes financial assistance, caregiving resources, and access to medical care to ensure that families do not face overwhelming burdens as they care for their loved ones. - Integration of Healthcare and Welfare Systems
Cheng stressed the importance of integrating Taiwan’s healthcare services with the welfare system to create a seamless long-term care system. This will involve closer coordination between hospitals, caregiving institutions, and community-based services. - Smart Technologies and Innovation
The plan will also incorporate the use of smart technologies to improve care delivery. This includes tools to monitor patients’ health remotely, provide telemedicine services, and manage caregiving schedules more efficiently. - Additional Support for Caregivers
Recognizing the emotional and physical toll caregiving can take, the plan will expand support for home caregivers by offering respite care, professional training, and stress-relief programs to help them cope with the demands of their role.
Government’s Commitment to Elderly Care: A Vision for 2025 and Beyond
Vice Premier Cheng highlighted that Taiwan’s long-term care services have seen a steady expansion since the introduction of Plan 2.0, which focused on building a robust network of care providers across neighborhoods. However, she acknowledged that as the population continues to age, more work is needed to create a more sustainable and efficient system.
Cheng noted the importance of strengthening Taiwan’s healthcare network to prevent hospital readmissions for elderly patients after discharge. In particular, she cited instances where critically ill patients discharged from hospitals are often readmitted to emergency rooms due to inadequate follow-up care. This situation causes not only medical strain but also psychological stress on families, who often struggle to care for their loved ones with serious health conditions.
Taiwan’s Long-Term Care Vision: A Safer, Healthier Future
Looking ahead, Cheng stressed that the Long-Term Care Program 3.0 aims to ensure that the elderly receive comprehensive, consistent, and compassionate care. Taiwan’s transition to a super-aged society requires significant planning and investment in infrastructure, services, and support systems. By integrating healthcare and welfare services, Taiwan hopes to meet the growing demand for eldercare while maintaining a high standard of living for its elderly population.
Key Features of Taiwan’s Long-Term Care Plan 3.0
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Home Care System Expansion | Integrates family doctor services with home caregiving to support patients at home. |
| Support for Critically Ill Families | Financial and caregiving resources for families of critically ill patients. |
| Healthcare and Welfare Integration | Streamlining coordination between healthcare providers and welfare services. |
| Smart Technologies | Use of technology to monitor patient health and improve caregiving efficiency. |
| Caregiver Support | Additional respite care, training, and stress-relief programs for home caregivers. |
FAQs
1. What is Taiwan’s Long-Term Care Plan 3.0?
The Long-Term Care Plan 3.0 is a government initiative aimed at enhancing caregiving services for Taiwan’s elderly population. It focuses on expanding home care, integrating healthcare and welfare systems, and providing support to families caring for critically ill members.
2. When will the Long-Term Care Plan 3.0 be implemented?
The program is expected to be launched in the first half of 2025 as Taiwan becomes a super-aged society.
3. How does the Long-Term Care Plan 3.0 benefit home caregivers?
The plan provides emergency care services at night and relief options to reduce the stress and burden on home caregivers. It also offers training and resources to ensure caregivers can provide the best possible care.
4. What is Taiwan’s aging society status?
Taiwan is expected to become a super-aged society by 2025, where 20% of the population will be 65 years or older.
5. How will the Long-Term Care Plan 3.0 improve healthcare for the elderly?
The new plan integrates healthcare and welfare services, strengthens home care systems, and incorporates smart technologies to enhance care delivery for the elderly.
