The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) launched the "1966" long-term care service hotline today to provide the public with another convenient, single-window service for accessing long-term care.
Speaking at the launch event, Premier Lai Ching-te said one important feature of the MOHW's long-term care 2.0 plan is the addition of service stations. Taiwan currently has some 700 service stations divided into three tiers. There is at least one Tier A "flagship store" (community-based integrated service center) for every town/city administrative district, at least one Tier B "specialty store" (combined service center) for every junior high school district, and at least one Tier C "grocery store" (long-term care station in alleys and lanes) for every three villages. Bringing all of these community resources together will allow senior citizens to age in their own homes and communities while having access to convenient and affordable health care.
The long-term care 2.0 plan now provides home service with a single phone call, the premier said. Dialing 1966 will connect callers to a county or city-level care management center, where service representatives will evaluate the needs of callers and their families. Additionally, the government provides subsidies for making needed improvements to the home environment.