At today's Cabinet meeting, Premier Mao Chi-kuo directed the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) to identify problems in the nation's long-term care (LTC) system and help local governments and private institutions implement improvement measures so as to ease the burden on the patients' families.
In particular, the premier asked the MOHW to review the needs of elderly LTC patients and the services provided by care institutions. Attention should be paid to how LTC institutions are managed, the procedures for transfers and discharges, and the training of LTC professionals.
In the LTC system, much of the focus is on the needs of the patient, but the family caregivers face considerable stress as well, Mao said. In a recent case that drew public concern, an LTC institution discharged a patient from its care but did not confirm whether the family was willing or able to care for the patient at home.
To help alleviate the stress and heavy burdens placed on home caregivers, the Executive Yuan has drafted a long-term care bill to provide more social services and subsidies for these families, Mao said. A series of long-term care programs have also been launched with the aim of building a comprehensive care network and providing appropriate services.
The premier asked the MOHW to continue incorporating public and private resources and to improve the quality and quantity of services. He also urged the ministry to push for an early passage of the long-term care bill, which still awaits approval by the Legislative Yuan.