財團法人張榮發慈善基金會

The Chang Yung-Fa Charity Foundation and Changhua Veterans Home co-hosted the "Evergreen’s Love Soars, Veterans Home's Art Inspires" exhibition on the 19th. Attendees included Veterans Affairs Vice Chairman Wu Zhi-Yang, Changhua Veterans Home Director Shi Hao-Cheng, Tianzhong Town Mayor Xiao Shu-Fen, and Foundation Chairman Daniel Wu.

In recent years, Taiwan's elderly population has been growing rapidly, and it is estimated that by 2025, the country will enter an ultra-aging society, with the elderly population aged 65 and above reaching 20%.

Located in Sanxia, New Taipei City, Taipei Veterans Home (TVH) houses over 500 vulnerable or solitary veterans, half of whom are already incapacitated or bedridden and require specialists’ care and maintenance. The home-care bed that bedridden elders sleep on are over 15 years of age, now appear to be shaky with damaged hand controllers, arm rails or brakes, incurring risks on the users and causing extra burden on the caregiver.

As the COVID-19 pandemic has lasted for more than two years, many elders stay at home for a longer period of time, which may lead to feelings of boredom, oppression or loneliness, and may have a negative impact on their mental health. As the pandemic gradually subsides, it is important to encourage seniors to go outside.

In response to the aging population in society, Taipei Medical University (TMU) established the School of Gerontology in 2007 with a view to developing talents for elderly care, senior health assessment and health care project design. To improve social interaction for elders who live alone or from disadvantaged backgrounds, Chang Yung-Fa Charity Foundation has been collaborating with TMU School of Gerontology since 2018 in the “Youths and Elders Dine Together: solitary elders need not dine alone” initiative in the nearby neighborhoods: Siwei Village, Hui’an Village and Sanzhang Village.

As the COVID-19 pandemic subsides, the government has initiated a new campaign to promote LOHAS lifestyles, encouraging people to participate in activities that are good for their physical and mental health, such as nature walks, sports and travel, and to relax and enjoy life.

The sudden and rapid surge of confirmed cases once again put our daily routines out of whack. Chang Yung-Fa Charity Foundation and Veterans’ Service Department of Changhua County together organized the “Fragrant Lotus Leaves and Aromatic Zongzi for Veterans” celebration party for the Dragon Boat Festival. But the party was cancelled in the end due to the pandemic.

Founded in 1961, St. Mary’s Hospital Taitung has been serving eastern Taiwan for 60 years sparing no effort caring for disadvantaged low-income families in remote rural areas and received positive feedback from the general public for its service. The serious problems of aging population, increasing dementia among elders, and lacking 24-hour care institutions have for a long while placing a huge strain on the caregivers and the families

Long-term care for the elders has become a critical issue in Taiwan. In response to Taiwan’s aging society, Taipei Medical University set up the School of Gerontology in 2007 with the purpose of cultivating talents for elderly care, senior health assessment and community care project design.