TAIPEI (TVBS News) — As social circles diminish with age, loneliness tends to rise among the elderly. A survey by the Federation of the Welfare of the Elderly reveals that 24.1% of seniors in Taiwan's metropolitan areas feel a sense of isolation, and over half have had limited contact with friends or family of late.
Psychiatrist Yang Tsung-tsai highlights that loneliness is not just a social issue but also a health concern, potentially increasing the risk of dementia, high blood pressure, diabetes, and other physical conditions.
Mental health struggles are also prevalent, with depression rates climbing and suicides among those over 65 escalating from 807 in 2011 to 1,183 in 2022, as reported by official records.
This trend is mirrored in the number of elderly individuals on antidepressants, which has almost doubled in the past decade.
With Taiwan evolving into a super-aged society, more seniors are experiencing solitude. However, communal living spaces, such as the Taipei Zhongshan Seniors Housing and Service Center, provide a remedy through social interaction and mutual care.
Resident Li, a widow who sought the safety and companionship the center offers, describes the community as familial, where "everyone is like sisters, taking care of each other."
Hsiao I-chia, a supervisor at the center, notes that seniors bond over shared experiences, which helps ease the loneliness that can accompany aging.
In response to the compounding issues of aging and isolation, Taiwan is taking measures to safeguard senior citizens' welfare, underscoring the importance of fostering connections, ensuring safety, and providing support to reduce loneliness.