TAIWAN (TVBS News)—As Taiwan is set to become a super-aged society in 2025, many older individuals face the issue of living in apartments without elevators, which complicates their daily lives and health.
Ms. Lee, who is 73, lives alone in an age-friendly home that used to be a hotel and was repurposed into a rental apartment. She emphasized the necessity of elevators, stating how older individuals struggle with stairs due to aging.
Hsu Hui-ju (許慧茹), the chief operation officer of the age-friendly home, added that it is more challenging for older individuals to find a place to rent because most landlords are less willing to accept them.
According to the latest data from the Ministry of the Interior (內政部), as of June 2023, the population of people aged 65 and above totaled 4,188,314. About 23.3% live alone, and 13.17% live in apartments with no elevators.
Lu Ping-yi (呂秉怡), the CEO of Tsuei Ma Ma Foundation for Housing and Community Services (崔媽媽基金會), explained that seniors who are unable to leave their homes risk rapid physical and cognitive decline, which will increase long-term care demands.
He stressed the need for Taiwan's housing policies to consider an aging society, including revisiting social housing thresholds.
The foundation urged the government to address housing justice for older adults and advocate for public-private partnerships to build affordable rental housing with basic social welfare. They believe this can prevent aging from becoming a daily fear.
