Premier Mao Chi-kuo today reiterated the government's determination to forge a senior citizen-friendly society, saying that all good service mechanisms—whether top-down urban management or bottom-up community development—should be duplicated and promoted to achieve that goal.
Instructing the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) to help cities and counties learn from each other's experiences, the premier added that social enterprises can also be developed to bring young, middle-aged and older people together and create age-friendly cities.
"The government's goals are to find jobs for young people, build a support network for senior citizens, create opportunities for enterprises, and provide a dignified living environment for the disadvantaged."
As Taiwan has become a rapidly aging society, the government is not only focusing on long-term care and medical services but also looking at the issue from a broader perspective and enacting active aging policies, indicated Mao.
The MOHW's age-friendly city development project approaches issues from the cities' angle, preparing for an aging society while also helping the young, the old, the disadvantaged and the business community. The project also incorporates smart city policies to bring more intelligent technologies into jobs for older people, encouraging industries to help create smart cities and smart living.
Premier Mao commended the MOHW for working with local governments in creating an environment friendly to the elderly. After five years of effort, Taiwan now boasts the most age-friendly cities in the world with measurable results in transportation, volunteer work, social participation and community health services.
The MOHW said it launched the age-friendly city program in Chiayi City in 2010 in line with the country's population policy guidelines and the World Health Organization's initiative. By 2013, all 22 cities and counties had implemented the program, making Taiwan the world's first country with comprehensive coverage of age-friendly cities. Taiwan also pioneered a nationwide age-friendly health care institution certification system.
Working with local governments to promote age-friendly cities, the MOHW has established work models and oversight mechanisms and provided performance-based assistance to local authorities. The ministry is also integrating health, medical care and social welfare systems to reduce health inequalities caused by social factors.
Other measures include encouraging the private sector to develop innovative services, as well as organizing annual workshops, training courses and award ceremonies for cities and counties to share their best practices in promoting age-friendly restaurants, shops, banks and post offices.