As Taiwan&rsquos elderly population increases rapidly, the government has implemented the Long-term Care 3.0 policy, emphasizing &ldquointegration of medical care and services&rdquo with the goal of establishing a 10-minute care circle. This aims to allow seniors to conveniently access professional care and reablement services. However, many long-term care facilities struggle with limited budgets and staffing, making it difficult to form a complete professional team and fully meet reablement needs.
One elderly woman with dementia suffered from swallowing difficulties and emotional distress, severely affecting her quality of life. Shao-Yu Peng, CEO of Age-Vital Long-Term Care, noted that by collaborating with nearby occupational and speech therapy clinics, professionals were able to assist on-site. Speech therapists improved her swallowing skills to reduce choking risks, while occupational therapists trained caregivers in soothing techniques to alleviate her agitation. This interdisciplinary collaboration improved both the elder&rsquos well-being and reduced caregiver stress. Unfortunately, such successful models are still rare, as most care facilities only employ nurses, caregivers, and social workers, lacking comprehensive rehab support.
Caregivers, under the guidance of occupational therapists, provide suitable activities at day care centers. (Photo courtesy of the Occupational Therapy Association)
One key goal of Long-term Care 3.0 is to &ldquoenhance institutional capacity and implement active reablement.&rdquo However, many care centers cannot afford to hire occupational therapists. Yi-Rong Tsai from the Taiwan Occupational Therapy Association suggests supporting facilities through partnerships with therapy clinics to resolve workforce shortages and strengthen services. Taiwan currently has 167 occupational therapy clinics. Building cooperative models can ease financial burdens and provide needed expertise.
Qi-Jun Gao, Director of Daxin Home Occupational Therapy, shared the case of an elderly man with dementia who experienced nighttime wandering and mobility issues. Therapists helped him improve participation through routine planning, reminiscence therapy, and physical exercises. After interdisciplinary intervention, his mobility and emotional stability improved, showcasing the value of occupational therapy in long-term care.
Starting in 2026, the government will strengthen medical-care integration to ensure smooth transitions from hospitals to long-term care. However, staffing remains a challenge. The Taiwan Occupational Therapy Association advocates the clinic-supported facility model to ease costs, leverage community resources, and fulfill the 10-minute care circle goal.
