TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Ministry of Health and Welfare (衛生福利部) launched a trial program on Friday (March 27), allocating NT$25 million (around US$782,000) to establish 50 service points across 16 counties and cities, including Taipei City and New Taipei City. The initiative aims to alleviate caregiver burdens by shifting from a one-on-one to a one-to-many care model, addressing post-COVID-19 workforce shortages. A director at Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences praised the program as a world-first model.
Deputy Minister Lue Jen-der (呂建德) emphasized the need for this model to maximize caregiving resources. The program adopts a "busy season work exchange" concept, where one professional caregiver partners with one to three family caregivers to support multiple long-term care recipients. This allows families to "exchange one for two" in respite care, with the ministry aiming to integrate the system into long-term care payment structures within three years.
Lue noted that the ministry will analyze the willingness and cost-effectiveness of the 50 sites. The Taiwan Association of Family Caregivers (中華民國家庭照顧者關懷總會) introduced a time bank concept, enabling caregivers to "care for one period and exchange for two periods of respite." After a three-year experiment, the association launched 50 trial sites this year, hoping to provide relief to caregiving families.
Secretary-General of the association Jenny Chen (陳景寧) explained that each respite session can accommodate up to 12 care recipients, managed by one professional caregiver and one to three volunteers. The service operates on a membership basis, offering two free trial sessions upon registration on the Mutual Respite Service Reservation Platform (互助喘息服務預約平台). Service hours vary, providing full-day or half-day care with minimal fees.