Aging in Taiwan: Building a Society for Active Aging and Aging in Place

Abstract

Taiwan's accelerated rate of aging is more than twice that of European countries and United States. Although demographic aging was not a major concern in Taiwan until 1993, when it became an aging society, aging issues now have become an imperative topic both in policy and in practice in the country. As this article demonstrates, in response to the challenge of the rapidly growing older population and the inspiration of cultural values of filial obligation and respect to elders, the concepts of active aging and aging in place are leading the policies and practices of gerontology to meet the diverse needs of the aging population in Taiwan. However, challenges remain, including the question of how to promote systematic endeavors, both in policies or research on aging, and how to encourage greater involvement of nongovernment organizations in the aging issue. In addition, some emerging issues about aging are addressed in this article including inadequate resources for older rural adults, building an age-friendly environment, and the increasing number of people with dementia.

Effects of changes in family social capital on the self‐rated health and family life satisfaction of older adults in Taiwan: A longitudinal study

“…As Taiwanese people tend to view their relatives as an important source of information exchange and financial assistance, such reliable support might reduce the impact on well‐being of economic hardship in families . Accordingly, the results suggest that in addition to building intergenerational cohesion in Taiwan, policymakers should create environments for older adults to interact with kin, especially given the decrease in kinship relationships resulting from the process of modernization…”

“…Despite monthly payments provided to older adults who participate in a social insurance program, Taiwanese older adults in remote areas are still faced with inadequate resources . Lack of economic resources might result in the fact that the proportion of the incidence of financial stress is higher than that of the improved status among Taiwanese older persons .…”

Efficacy of multidomain interventions to improve physical frailty, depression and cognition: data from cluster‐randomized controlled trials

“…The prevalence of frailty among community‐dwelling ≥65‐year‐olds from predominantly Europid populations averages approximately 10–12%, within wide bounds . Until recently, frailty appeared relatively less common in East Asians, but this is changing; Taiwan has the most rapidly aging populace in the world, which is expected to transition from aged (14% of the population ≥65 years old) in 2018 to super‐aged (20% ≥65 years old) in less than 10 years, with profound health policy implications . For these reasons, ‘healthy aging’ to promote well‐being and forfend age‐related ill health has become an international priority …”

Expressive social support buffers the impact of care-related work interruptions on caregivers’ depressive symptoms

“…Similar to other ageing Southeast Asian societies (Lin & Huang, 2015), cultural expectations of filial piety emphasize the family as the primary support system for older Singaporeans (Mehta, 2006a). The Singapore government has largely encouraged the growth of multigenerational households and provided a range of community and home based LTC services to assist family caregivers, aiming for older Singaporeans to ‘age-in-place’ (Mehta, 2006a).…”