TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan will significantly expand its national caregiving framework next year to embrace a younger cohort of patients requiring extended support, health officials announced Friday (April 11). The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW, 衛生福利部), the government agency overseeing public health and social services, unveiled plans for its ambitious "Long-term Care 3.0" program, which will extend eligibility to citizens under 50 suffering from early-onset dementia and various disabilities. This policy shift represents a substantial evolution in Taiwan's approach to long-term care, which has traditionally focused on elderly populations, by acknowledging the growing need for support services among younger adults affected by strokes and other debilitating conditions.
The economic rationale behind this policy shift was articulated by Chu Chien-fang (祝健芳), who heads the Department of Long-term Care (長期照顧司), the specialized division responsible for coordinating elder and disability services nationwide. Chu particularly emphasized the program's focus on younger adults under 65 who have experienced stroke-related disabilities. These individuals, he noted, constitute a crucial segment of Taiwan's productive workforce, making their rehabilitation and potential return to employment a matter of national economic interest. The official stressed that expediting their recovery through targeted governmental support represents both a compassionate and fiscally sound approach to public health policy.
Addressing the specific needs of those with cognitive decline, Chu directed individuals with early-onset dementia who maintain functional independence to utilize Taiwan's network of specialized dementia service centers while awaiting potential eligibility under the expanded program. The official cited international epidemiological research indicating that approximately 0.119 percent of adults between ages 30 and 64 experience dementia symptoms. Based on these prevalence rates and demographic projections, health authorities anticipate that by 2026, Taiwan will need to provide services for 14,601 citizens under 65 with dementia, including 807 individuals facing the compound challenge of both cognitive impairment and physical disability.
The implementation framework will maintain the current requirement for annual reassessment of all care recipients, though Chu acknowledged emerging tensions in the system. Several municipal governments have reported growing frustration among elderly beneficiaries whose service allocations have been reduced following reassessment, prompting ministry officials to consider potential regulatory modifications. MOHW Vice Minister Lu Chien-te (呂建德), speaking at the same announcement, outlined the comprehensive vision for Long-term Care 3.0 through four strategic pillars: strengthening connections between medical institutions and home care services, expanding access to palliative care for terminal patients, intensifying rehabilitation efforts particularly for younger patients, and embracing technological solutions through increased subsidies for assistive devices and smart monitoring systems. ★