TAIPEI (TVBS News) — As young adults in Taiwan struggle with the high costs of living and low wages, the elderly also face similar challenges.
Retirees are experiencing a sharp decrease in active income and are increasingly dependent on medical support, including nursing aides and nutritional supplements.
Ms. Yang, a 64-year-old caring for her 99-year-old mother, shared her experience and insight into their situation.
"Our monthly expenses start at NT＄30,000 for necessities such as supplements, food and drinks, vitamins, and calcium tablets; however, we are most concerned about the high costs of medical procedures," Yang said.
Besides this, the services provided by the government are also set in rigid categories making it difficult for elders to receive the care they need.
This means that if an elder refuses a service, employers must still pay for it even though the service was not provided.
With Taiwan projected to enter a super-aged society in 2025, the total expenses of the elderly population are expected to rise.
Taiwan Association of Family Caregivers Secretary-general Chen Ching-ning explained, "As we reach the age of 65 and beyond, the likelihood of requiring long-term care increases, which comes with high financial costs."
"On average, the final stages of long-term care can result in monthly expenses ranging from NT＄30,000 to NT＄60,000, surpassing the average monthly salary for most people," she added.
Long-term care associations are calling on the government to provide more caretaking facilities and subsidies to ease the burden on families.
Experts also advocate for the government to consider the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for those 62 or older, also known as CPI-E in the U.S.
This would enable the government to allocate resources and adjust social welfare policies to meet the aging population's needs better.
As Taiwan faces the challenges of a super-aged society, the government must take action and provide adequate support for its elderly citizens.
