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Experts debate future of Taiwan’s unsafe buildings
Taiwan’s "Reconstruction Express," a 10-year policy aimed at expediting the reconstruction of unsafe and aging buildings, is set to expire in 2027, raising concerns over the future of urban renewal projects. Experts discuss potential paths, including amendments or full integration into the Urban Renewal Act.
2024/09/11 15:48
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Senior housing demand outstrips supply in Taiwan
Discover how Taiwan’s aging population is transforming senior housing and caregiving, with a shift towards independent living and a growing demand for specialized residences.
2024/08/15 18:35
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Aging pets raise long-term care concerns in Taiwan
Discover how Taiwan is addressing the challenges of pet aging and long-term care as pet registrations outpace newborns. Learn about the costs and solutions for pet owners.
2024/08/14 18:03
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Older people in Taiwan struggle with homes lacking elevators
Explore how Taiwan’s impending status as a super-aged society by 2025 highlights the challenges older residents face in apartments without elevators. This report delves into the struggles of the elderly, including the story of 73-year-old Ms. Lee and the call for improved housing policies to support an aging population.
2024/07/18 15:54
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Work, caregiving burden weigh on Taiwan’s strong generation
Explore the overlooked mental health challenges faced by Taiwan’s strong generation, aged 40-60, as they juggle family, work, and the fear of unemployment. Learn about the rising suicide rates among adults and the importance of self-care and early intervention.
2024/07/15 17:56
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Taiwan faces pediatrician shortage amid low birth rates
Explore how Taiwan’s declining birth rate affects pediatric care, leading to an aging workforce and overworked doctors, despite government subsidies to retain talent.
2024/07/12 17:17
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Taipei sees rise in elderly-involved scooter accidents
Discover how Taiwan addresses the surge in traffic accidents involving elderly scooter riders with new safety measures and senior driving courses. Learn about the rising casualty rates and the government’s efforts to improve road safety.
2024/07/04 15:58
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Health director discusses Taiwan’s NHI financial reforms
Explore the major reforms proposed by Shih Chung-liang, director of Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Administration, aimed at revamping the healthcare system amid financial challenges and an aging population.
2024/06/24 10:37
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Taiwan faces urban renewal challenges with aging houses
Explore the challenges and progress of urban renewal in Taiwan, where the aging housing stock and recent earthquakes have pushed the need for more effective renewal strategies and government involvement.
2024/06/19 16:49
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Over 7M Taiwanese face poverty, illness, and fraud risks
Over 7 million Taiwanese aged 30-50, known as the "Three Precautions Generation," face significant risks of poverty, illness, and fraud as they prepare for retirement. Financial safety nets and vigilance against scams are essential to secure their future.
2024/05/22 18:03
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Cataracts affect 1.19 million in Taiwan in 2022
Explore the rising trend of cataract cases in Taiwan, highlighting the impact of digital device usage and aging on eye health, as well as the advancements in treatment options like artificial lens replacement surgery for improved vision recovery.
2024/05/10 17:57
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Taiwan’s aging doctors: Crisis in medical distribution
In Taiwan, a shift towards a super-aged society is causing a significant challenge in the medical field, with an uneven distribution of young doctors across specialties leading to a potential crisis in healthcare.
2024/03/14 18:22
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Taiwan signs MOU with India to employ migrant workers
Taiwan’s Executive Yuan has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with India to facilitate the hiring of Indian migrant workers. The MOU states that Taiwan will determine the sectors and numbers for employment, while India will recruit and train the workers according to regulations. Contrary to online rumors, the plan does not involve the introduction of 100,000 Indian workers. The signing ceremony occurred online between the Taipei Economic and Cultural Center in India and the India-Taipei Association. Taiwan’s Ministry of Labor will submit the MOU to the Legislative Yuan for record and will hold meetings with Indian counterparts to discuss further details. Once all preparations are completed, India will be recognized as a new source of migrant labor, allowing employers to hire based on individual demand. This move is part of Taiwan’s efforts to address issues such as an aging population, decreased birth rate, and labor shortages by developing new sources of migrant labor.
2024/02/16 17:33
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Senior citizens in Taiwan volunteer to combat loneliness
Taiwan confronts the challenges of an aging society, with initiatives addressing loneliness and social support among older individuals. Volunteers play a crucial role in providing companionship and assistance in New Taipei’s Pingxi District.
2024/02/13 12:30
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Ko highlights Taiwan’s challenges under DPP rule
Taipei mayoral candidate Ko Wen-je criticized the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) governance in Taiwan, pointing out various shortcomings such as shortages of land, water, electricity, talent, and labor during Lai Ching-te’s tenure as premier. Ko also claimed that Taiwan is currently lacking eggs, pork, vaccines, health screening resources, and even toilet paper. He further highlighted present issues including low birthrates, national security risks from an aging population, wage stagnation, inflation, slow industrial transformation, and high housing costs. Ko accused the government of not allocating special budgets for expenditures, resulting in an alleged surplus of NT$900 billion, and criticized their lack of transparency. He expressed disappointment with the DPP’s failure to address issues left by the Kuomintang (KMT) after eight years in power. Additionally, Ko mentioned that Taiwanese people generally feel insecure about the current status of the Taiwan Strait, which has caused societal discord, political factions, and cross-strait unrest.
2023/12/30 17:05
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TPP’s Ko advocates for extended employment age
Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) presidential candidate Ko Wen-je has proposed the ’Strong Generation’ program, which aims to encourage able-bodied individuals to remain employed and dispel rumors about preventing seniors from retiring. During the Central Election Committee Policy Presentation, Ko elaborated on his initiative, emphasizing the need for reform in the current employment and worker insurance system, which only extends to age 65. He advocates for the elimination of negative stereotypes against the elderly and plans to establish a national research center focused on creating an industrial chain tailored to the needs of the elderly population. Ko’s proposals address Taiwan’s aging population and low birth rate, aiming to shift societal perceptions and create a conducive environment for young people to have children while ensuring seniors can live a more vibrant ’Strong Generation’ life.
2023/12/26 17:00
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Taiwan’s social protection expenditure hits NT$2.53T in 2022
Taiwan’s Social Protection Expenditure (SPE) for 2022 has reached a new high of NT$2.5342 trillion, according to the Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS). This represents a 4.9% growth rate and an increase of NT$118.1 billion compared to the previous year. The DGBAS attributes the significant growth to factors such as increased costs related to COVID-19 vaccine procurement and vaccination efforts, higher National Health Insurance payments, and increased funding for childcare allowances and educational subsidies. Social security spending in Taiwan aims to mitigate risks or burdens associated with aging, disabilities, survivors, sickness and healthcare, childbirth, family and children, unemployment, occupational injuries, and housing, following the standards of the International Labor Organization (ILO).
2023/12/16 13:23
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Taiwan’s aging workforce faces employment challenges
This news story explores the challenges and opportunities in Taiwan’s aging workforce. As the country faces a demographic shift with a significant portion of its population aging, companies are grappling with the need to employ older workers. Key insights from Muji and Wowprime Corp employees, alongside data from the National Development Council, reveal the impact on Taiwan’s labor market and potential solutions to the looming labor shortage.
2023/12/04 20:07
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Resignations rise as Taiwan faces caregiving challenges
Taiwan faces a critical labor shortage, compounded by an increasing need for family caregiving, especially for dementia patients. The situation challenges the existing workforce and highlights the need for better caregiving infrastructure and supportive legal frameworks.
2023/11/30 19:47
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Taiwan’s healthcare outweighs U.S. citizenship: Commentator
Taipei City Hospital’s Chiang Kuan-yu commented on Lai Pei-hsia’s decision to give up her U.S. citizenship, stating that Taiwan’s lighter healthcare and tax burdens outweigh the benefits of U.S. citizenship. Lai, an entertainer, relinquished her U.S. citizenship in order to qualify as the running mate for Foxconn founder Terry Gou in Taiwan’s vice-presidential election. However, the Gou-Lai ticket failed to register for the race, leading many online users in Taiwan to describe Lai as the biggest loser in the electoral contest. Chiang highlighted that many elderly Americans choose to return to Taiwan for superior elderly care and more familial support, as incapacitated seniors in the U.S. often do not survive beyond three years. He characterized Taiwan as "a paradise for the elderly, a promised land for retirement," promoting the country as an ideal place for a comfortable and supported aging experience. Chiang questioned the significance of retaining U.S. citizenship once one’s children are independent, suggesting that Lai may not have lost much by forfeiting her American nationality.
2023/11/26 18:29
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TPP’s Ko Wen-je seeks unity with Terry Gou
The story discusses a significant political development in Taiwan, where Kuomintang (KMT) presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih visited former President Ma Ying-jeou’s office for a meeting, while Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) presidential hopeful Ko Wen-je visited the home of independent candidate Terry Gou. Ko formally invited Gou on Facebook, aiming to consolidate opposition forces and unite for a potential political transition in 2024. Ko praised Gou’s vision for governance and their shared principles. Gou and his vice presidential candidate Tammy Lai garnered a record-breaking 1.03 million signatures for their presidential bid. Ko has been vocal about Taiwan’s challenges and sees Gou as a catalyst for positive changes in various areas. Ko called for opposition unity and collaboration with Hou Yu-ih for Taiwan’s future.
2023/11/23 12:54
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Tourism Administration to launch travel program for seniors
The Tourism Administration plans to launch a new travel program called "Golden Years" (凰金遊程Golden Years) next year, targeting senior travelers in response to Taiwan’s aging population. With an estimated senior travel demographic of 4 million individuals, Taiwan sees a potential tourist value of up to NT$120 billion. Deputy Director-General Lin Hsin-Jen expects a 10% to 20% growth in output value, reaching NT$120 billion, with domestic tours for the elderly market accounting for approximately NT$40 billion and international travelers adding NT$60 billion. Travel agencies and hotels are now focusing on marketing efforts and introducing 11 Golden Years itineraries to cater to this demographic’s preferences. Discounts and leisurely itineraries are being offered to accommodate the spending power of senior travelers.
2023/11/22 19:47
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Taiwan’s elderly battle loneliness in an aged society
Discover how Taiwan’s elderly are confronting the challenges of loneliness as the nation becomes a super-aged society. With rising health concerns and the benefits of community living spaces, Taiwan is striving to ensure seniors remain connected and supported.
2023/11/07 18:57
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Ko Wen-je proposes maternity leave ext., pregnancy subsidies
Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) presidential candidate Ko Wen-je has proposed several policies to address Taiwan’s low birth rate. These policies include extending maternity leave, offering a "pregnancy subsidy" of NT$50,000 to expectant mothers, and providing an additional subsidy of NT$100,000 to families after the child is born. Ko also plans to establish a "Population Development Committee" within the Executive Yuan to coordinate efforts between various governmental departments and address the issue of low birth rates. He advocates for increasing public childcare facilities and raising salaries for public preschool teachers and personnel to improve the employment environment for childcare workers. The National Development Council predicts that Taiwan’s population could be halved by 2070 due to low birth rates and an aging population, which would further burden society and younger generations. Ko sees the low birth rate as a security issue for Taiwan, causing labor shortages and challenges in school recruitment.
2023/11/07 15:58
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Ko unveils ’Strong Generation’ movement to redefine aging
Taiwan’s TPP candidate, Ko Wen-je, introduces the ’Strong Generation Cultural Movement’ to redefine aging and boost the economy. Learn how this initiative addresses the challenges of an aging society.
2023/10/25 18:42