Taiwan Today

Faced with an aged society, Taiwan is adopting a public-private strategy to intergenerational inclusivity while improving older adults’ quality of life.

After decades spent caring for her family, Lin Shu-chen (林淑貞) started a new chapter in June last year—her very first job, a part-time role at Bulao Eatery No. 125 in central Taiwan’s Taichung City. “I feel happy, healthy and energetic,” the 67-year-old said. “Working has given me a chance to learn a lot of new skills from my colleagues about things like mobile payments and customer service.”

Lin never imagined she would be joining the workforce later in life, but her experience attending vocational training courses funded by the Ministry of Labor (MOL) gave her a fresh perspective on the opportunities available. “Now that my children have grown up and my husband has retired, I’ve sometimes felt a little lost,” she said. “I realized I needed a stronger purpose and daily routine.”

Founded in 2016 by Taichung-headquartered Hondao Senior Citizen’s Welfare Foundation (HSCWF) in partnership with the city government’s Social Affairs Bureau, Bulao Eatery provides work opportunities to older adults. It currently employs 15 people with an average age of 63.

“Many older individuals are willing and able to work. The jobs we offer provide them with a stable income and also allow them to socialize and meet new people,” said Liu Chia-ying (劉佳盈), director of the General Administration Division at HSCWF. Studies have also found having a job can lead to improved health outcomes among the elderly, she added.

Demographic Challenge

Employment assistance is among a raft of policies and measures being implemented by government agencies in cooperation with nongovernmental organizations (NGO) to safeguard older adults’ well-being. These are designed to address the social, economic and public health challenges brought about by population aging.

Taiwan officially became an aged society in 2018, with more than 14 percent of the population aged 65 or over. This is expected to grow to more than one in five by 2025 when the country will become a super-aged society, according to projections from the Cabinet-level National Development Council.

The demographic changes resulting from population aging, exacerbated by a low birth rate, may have serious implications for society since a shrinking labor force leads to lower tax revenues even as government spending on health care and welfare increases. This could hinder economic growth, private investment and overall national competitiveness.

Faced with these challenges, government agencies including the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) and MOL have promoted new pieces of legislation to mitigate any negative impact. Among these are the Long-term Care Services Act and the Middle-aged (over 45) and Elderly Employment Promotion Act promulgated in 2015 and 2019, respectively.

“Our main objective is to support older adults so they can remain active, healthy, independent and socially connected,” said Chuang Chin-chu (莊金珠‬), deputy director of the Senior Citizen Welfare Section under the MOHW’s Social and Family Affairs Administration (SFAA).

Community Effort

According to Chuang, one of the most vulnerable populations is low-income elderly and disabled individuals. To provide a safety net, the National Long-term Care Plan 2.0 was introduced in 2017 to promote the concept of aging in place—the ability to live safely in one’s own home and neighborhood. The 10-year initiative seeks to embed services in the community and increase the number of long-term care providers.

To achieve this, SFAA is working with city and county governments as well as NGOs to establish community care stations. About 4,000 such facilities had been set up countrywide as of the end of 2019. The stations make use of local businesses to provide in-home services and meal deliveries alongside health promotion activities.

“Aging in place is the ideal outcome for spending the later years of one’s life, and it’s absolutely possible for most people with a little bit of assistance and adjustment from those around them, allowing them to stay in an environment that is comfortable, familiar and safe,” Chuang said. “It also offers greater ease and peace of mind to family and friends.”

Chuang argues public-private partnerships have been one of the keys to success for the government’s strategy. “Local organizations are ideally placed to find solutions for eldercare, as they’re often more creative and flexible in their thinking,” she said.

HSCWF is one NGO setting a benchmark for innovation and professionalism in welfare services for senior citizens. It has been commissioned by SFAA to operate 11 community care stations while implementing multiple projects that cater to the physical and mental health needs of older adults.

Since 1995, HSCWF has promoted care in the community via a broad network of professional caregivers, social workers and volunteers. Many of the recipients of its services are older adults living alone, with the foundation providing help with housework, shopping and hospital visits while offering companionship and hot meals.

Currently, HSCWF has about 590 employees and 2,800 volunteers serving 8,300 elderly individuals across Taiwan. Its work is made possible thanks to private donations and funding from the central and local governments.

The organization’s most well-known campaign is the Dreams Never Get Old program, which helps older adults realize their ambitions. Past participants include a group of octogenarians who completed a 13-day, 1,178-kilometer motorcycle tour around Taiwan in 2007. Their story was later made into a documentary titled “Go Grandriders” in 2012.

“Age shouldn’t be a barrier to achieving your dreams,” Liu said. “When people grow old, they can still accomplish things, and we should be there to support them in doing so.”

Unified Lobbying

Taipei-based Federation for the Welfare of the Elderly (FWE) is another prominent NGO shaping business practices, government policies and public attitudes in Taiwan toward old age. Founded in 1994 with the goal of promoting greater coordination and cooperation among groups dedicated to helping older adults, the federation consists of more than 100 member organizations nationwide.

“Elderly people have their own particular circumstances that can set them apart from the rest of the population. They’re more likely to suffer bereavement, loss of income and poor health. These stressors can result in isolation, loneliness and psychological distress,” said Chang Shu-ching (張淑卿), FWE’s secretary-general. “Providing timely and appropriate social support is particularly important for these individuals.”

FWE has successfully lobbied for several amendments to the Senior Citizens Welfare Act, providing greater protections to the rights and interests of the elderly including those being abused and neglected. The changes also incentivize aging in place and the provision of services such as adult day care centers and nursing homes.

According to Chang, FWE is working closely with central government agencies including the Ministry of Education, MOHW and MOL to design programs and facilities that adequately meet the needs of older adults. The diversified services delivered by FWE include campaigns to reduce age discrimination, improve living conditions and provide a range of community care services, especially for elderly people living in rural and remote areas.

As Taiwan rapidly heads toward a super-aged society, many of its senior citizens are living more fulfilling lives than ever before while continuing to participate in and contribute to society. “By adopting a holistic approach to eldercare and fostering strong partnerships with NGOs, the government is creating comprehensive and integrated services responsive to the needs of older adults,” MOHW’s Chuang said. “Together we can facilitate graceful aging that guarantees dignity and purpose.”

Write to Kelly Her at kher@mofa.gov.tw