Taiwan next year plans to launch its first nationwide census on elderly people living independently to identify the estimated 700,000 seniors to strengthen community-based healthcare and long-term care services, the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) said yesterday.
Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chung-liang (石崇良) said on the sidelines of a healthcare seminar that the nation’s rapidly aging population and declining birthrate have made the issue of elderly people living alone increasingly pressing.
The survey, to be jointly conducted by the MOHW and the Ministry of the Interior, aims to establish baseline data and better allocate care resources, he said.
Photo: CNA
About 700,000 elderly people in Taiwan live independently, including those living alone and elderly couples living without other family members, according to local government estimates.
The government plans to allocate NT$6.2 billion (US$200 million) from a special act on national resilience to complete a full visitation program within two years, ensuring that every independent elderly person receives at least one visit, Shih said.
The census would cover all elderly people living independently, regardless of income, and assess them based on family support, health condition and ability to perform daily activities.
Seniors would be classified as high, medium or low-risk.
Those deemed high risk or in need of closer monitoring would receive tailored services such as meal delivery, regular visits or installation of emergency alert devices to help reduce deaths among elderly people living alone, Shih said.
He added that the assessment data would guide resource allocation under the 10-year Long-term Care 3.0 program, which begins next year and emphasizes integrated care centered around people, families and communities.
In addition, Shih said the MOHW plans to expand its newborn care pediatrician system — under which a designated doctor and medical team monitor children’s health up to age 3 — to cover all preschoolers up to age 6.
Designated pediatricians act as “guardian angels” who oversee children’s growth, vaccinations and preventive care, he said, adding that they can also remind parents about fluoride treatments or refer children for developmental assessments when needed.
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