As the number of senior citizens in Taipei continues to grow, the Taipei City Government is creating more apartments for the elderly.
There are now 330,000 over-65s in Taipei, accounting for 12.7 percent of the city’s population, and the demand for a convenient and safe home environment for them has prompted the city government to build or renovate three apartment complexes especially for senior citizens. Authorities plan to offer at least one such apartment complex in each of the city’s 12 districts within the next four years.
The three existing complexes are located in Zhongshan (中山) and Shilin (士林) districts, offering more than 300 accommodation units for Taipei residents older than 65.
Inspecting apartments located on Xinsheng N Road that opened in October, Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌) yesterday lauded the facilities and promised to continue efforts to make Taipei a friendly and safe city for the elderly.
The apartment complex used to be a recreational center under the city’s Department of Labor Affairs, but renovations turned the 30-year-old building into an apartment complex with 88 single and 24 double bedrooms. The complex offers 24-hour care and is equipped with a gym, recreational room and relaxation area.
Having lived in a social welfare facility in Xinyi District (信義) for five years before moving to the Xinsheng complex, 81-year-old Chang Jie (張杰) described his new apartment as a “three-star hotel” with great facilities and service.
“It’s clean and convenient for old people like me, and most importantly, we feel respected in this place. I think the city government should offer more apartment complex like this to take better care of the old people in Taipei,” he said.
Department of Social Affairs Commissioner Chiang Chi-wen (江綺雯) said the department would open another apartment complex for elderly residents in Datong District (大同) next year.
The department has also established 13 daycare centers in the city for the elderly, and will offer more in the future, she said.
The monthly rent for a city-owned apartment ranges from NT$13,000 to NT$18,000, about 20 percent cheaper than private apartment units for the elderly, the department said.
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