Active Aging
- 英文Taiwan Review網站 @ 外交部

Public and private sectors join forces to improve quality of life for seniors.  

Chen Xiu-nian (陳秀年), an 86-year-old native of Puli Township in the central county of Nantou, considers Homie Puli Cafe her second home, visiting from Monday through Friday to socialize and attend a variety of activities. “I’m so happy every time I come here. The place gives me a sense of warmth and belonging,” she said. “I can meet and chat with people, as well as learn new things—a big contrast to staying at home, as my husband rarely chats and household chores are tedious!”  

Chen’s keen curiosity drives her to learn new hobbies, from board games, calligraphy, drawing and singing to health practices and smartphone apps. “I’m interested in almost everything. Calligraphy, in particular, fulfills my dream of learning to read and write, as my parents did not allow me to attend school when I was young,” she said. “I’m grateful that Homie Puli has all these activities on offer.”  

A Homie Puli worker, center, offers seniors tips on using smartphones. (Courtesy of Homie Puli Cafe)

Homie Puli Cafe provides a free space for senior citizens to gather and learn new skills while interacting with and taking care of each other. “What older adults need just as much as health care services is to find meaning and purpose in life,” said cafe Director Lillian Chen (陳若嵐). “Our facility seeks to build a strong support system for seniors, helping them stay active, healthy and socially engaged.”  

Established by the nonprofit Quixotic Implement Foundation in partnership with the Nantou-based National Chi Nan University and Puli Christian Hospital, Homie Puli creates innovative long-term care services for elderly people. “Our objective is to promote mutual aid networks of care to address the diverse needs of nearby residents,” Chen explained. “It’s about cooperating to serve community members for collective well-being and sustainable development.”  

Many communities are facing the daunting twin challenges of aging populations and a youth exodus, making mutual support among older adults critical. The director noted that community, compassion and respect are at the core of mutual aid. Accordingly, Homie Puli offers hot meals as well as an array of activities and courses including practical computer and smartphone skills. “A multitude of programs organized by Homie Puli keep me busy and feeling young,” Chen said. “After numerous hardships, I now feel blessed to live a fulfilling life.”

Local Networks

Homie Puli is among the many nongovernmental organizations and nonprofits that the National Health Research Institutes (NHRI) has collaborated with in enhancing older adults’ quality of life through the National Science and Technology Council’s (NSTC) Age-Tech Industry Action Plan. The institution financially supports around 50 civic groups to create an innovative eldercare service system based on local needs and resources, as well as technology applications, over the span of the four-year plan.  

NHRI, based in northern Taiwan’s Miaoli County and primarily financed by the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW), is dedicated to medical research and improving health care in Taiwan. According to NHRI Vice President Wei J. Chen (陳為堅), the NSTC initiative aims to extend a healthy life expectancy for elderly people. “Taiwan is set to become a superaged society in 2025, with 20 percent of the population aged 65 and over, so the government has devised multisector policies and measures to tackle the consequent economic, public health and social issues,” he said. “One of the countermeasures is to leverage Taiwan’s strengths in artificial intelligence and information and communications technology [ICT] to address the shortage of caregiving professionals and reduce the burden on families.”  

To develop community-based integrated care, the NSTC targets healthy seniors living at home and in rural areas by providing them with assisted living and health care services through technology and resource integration. Smart technology can give older adults affordable and practical health care solutions to help them live independently and safely for as long as possible, the vice president added.

Lan Tsuo-hung, front left, superintendent of Nantou-based Tsaotun Psychiatric Center, runs the adult day care center with medical expertise. (Photo by Chen Mei-ling)

Tech Age

Chiou Hung-Yi (邱弘毅), investigator and director of the NHRI’s Institute of Population Health Sciences, pointed out that the NSTC project focuses on modifications to existing technology like wearable devices, voice recognition and mobile apps. “We want ICT companies to develop accessible devices and interfaces incorporating large text, one-button communication and voice commands. Such products are great business opportunities as population aging is a global issue and eldercare solutions are in high demand,” Chiou said. “In addition to meeting domestic needs, they can be marketed internationally, especially in Southeast Asia, which shares similar anthropometric characteristics and family structures with Taiwan.” To ensure effective implementation, the agency teamed up with city and county government health departments, community organizations, health care institutions and schools, as well as ICT companies and social enterprises. The purpose is to create a platform offering information for older people on community activities, support services, and health education, monitoring and evaluation.  

The MOHW’s Tsaotun Psychiatric Center in Nantou County is also an NHRI partner institution implementing NSTC initiatives. The medical institution operates a day care center for senior citizens, especially those with dementia. According to Superintendent Lan Tsuo-hung (藍祚鴻), the facility was set up in 2019 to meet growing demand for such services. “We’re proud to contribute our medical expertise and resources to our local community,” Lan said. “Our facility provides health care, meals, training programs and recreation to aging adults and individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, while at the same time offering short-term relief for family caregivers.”  

With medical professionals on staff and advanced tools and equipment, the center designs a broad range of therapeutic activities, memory maintenance programs and guided daily exercise regimens while monitoring seniors’ health. “Our activities combine physical, mental and social elements that offer comprehensive benefits, helping older adults navigate the challenges of aging with resilience and joy,” the superintendent explained. “The ultimate goal is to delay or prevent institutionalization by offering alternative care to boost self-esteem and increase life satisfaction.”

Kuo, standing, positions a device that measures blood oxygen levels using infrared light. (Photo by Chen Mei-ling)

Overall Advances

Terry Kuo (郭博昭), director of the Center for Mind and Brain Medicine at Tsaotun Psychiatric Center, has been working on tech gadget R&D for seniors. His team has developed a smartwatch that can track steps walked, calories burned and time spent sleeping. The wearable device is currently in prototype testing at the day care center to ensure that it meets the needs of end users and provides useful data for health analysis and precision medicine.  

Many people want to stay in their own homes as they age since they feel comfortable and secure there. Facilities like Homie Puli Cafe and Tsaotun Psychiatric Center’s day care play an important role in maintaining senior independence and overall well-being. “The government’s long-term care plan places emphasis on establishing community-based integrated service centers to allow aging in place,” Lan said. “From stimulating activities,  health screening and personalized care to technology applications, our center endeavors to improve senior citizens’ physical and mental health and create a happy and fulfilling lifestyle for them.” Write to Kelly Her at kher@mofa.gov.tw