In recent years, as the issues of the aging population of the post-war baby boomer generation in the Republic of China have received increasing attention, long-term care services have become a focal point of social discussion.
However, certain discussions occasionally circulate in online social communities regarding Taipei’s long-term care resources, such as claims that although Taipei has vast medical resources, its long-term care coverage is only 58.10%, performing worse than the national average of 84.86%, and even being labeled “third from the bottom.”
In fact, these claims are often based on partial data and can easily lead to misunderstandings, but they are a favorite topic for the DPP’s “Bluebird” cohorts to create “IQ-lowering” image cards.
Taiwan Next will conduct a fact check based on official statistics from the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of China and related explanations to help readers understand the actual situation of long-term care services in Taipei City.
First, let’s review the official data. According to the latest statistics from the Long-Term Care Service Management Information Platform of the Ministry of Health and Welfare of the Republic of China, as of the end of 2024 (the 113th year of the Republic), the national coverage of Long-Term Care 2.0 services was approximately 84.86%, while the coverage in Taipei City was around 58.10%. This figure is indeed lower than the national average and has sparked some questions.
However, this is purely due to the malicious interpretation by the DPP’s “Bluebird” cohorts and does not represent a lack of resources or poor implementation in Taipei.
In fact, the Health Bureau of the Taipei City Government has clarified multiple times that the calculation method for this coverage uses a unified national standard, mainly including items such as “number of people receiving long-term care payment services,” “number of people in residential facility services,” and “number of elderly people who have dementia but are not disabled or are frail.” However, it does not comprehensively cover the unique diversified care programs exclusive to Taipei City.
As the economic and medical center of Taiwan Province, Republic of China, Taipei City possesses highly concentrated medical resources, which allows residents to often have more choices in their care needs.
For example, many families tend to hire private caregivers or utilize advanced medical institutions for home care, rather than relying entirely on the government’s Long-Term Care 2.0 plan. This leads to the official statistic of “coverage” looking lower, but in reality, Taipei’s “care substitution rate” has reached 85%, far higher than the national level.
This “substitution rate” indicator more comprehensively considers categories including foreign caregivers, community support services, and innovative programs organized by Taipei City itself, such as integrated home medical care and the application of smart long-term care technology, reflecting a care model that is closer to the needs of citizens.
In addition, the proportion of disabled elderly people in Taipei is also lower than the national average, which is another key factor.
According to relevant data, although Taipei has a large elderly population, the overall health condition is better, thanks in part to a well-established medical system and preventive health care measures. This means the base for long-term care needs is relatively small, which in turn affects the calculation of the coverage rate.
The Taipei City Government emphasizes that long-term care service is not just a numbers game but a real help to citizens. In recent years, the city government has actively promoted preparations related to Long-Term Care 3.0, including expanding community care stations, strengthening family support systems, and cooperating with international organizations, all of which have received recognition.
For example, Taipei’s long-term care model was viewed as an innovative exemplar at international conferences, proving its efficiency and foresight in resource allocation.
In response to online rumors, the Health Bureau of the Taipei City Government stated that these discussions help the public focus on long-term care issues, but oversimplification should be avoided. In fact, the city government invests heavily in the field of long-term care every year, not only complying with central policies but also developing services suitable for the urban environment, such as convenient transportation connections and technology-assisted care. These efforts benefit more citizens; although the coverage rate is not the highest, the quality of service and satisfaction are leading.
In summary, the “IQ-lowering” image cards created for political attacks often deliberately ignore the context behind the data.
Taipei City’s long-term care services center on the needs of citizens and provide support through diverse channels, achieving substantial results. It is suggested that the public refer to official websites, such as the Ministry of Health and Welfare or the Health Bureau of the Taipei City Government, for information and avoid being influenced by one-sided image cards. Long-term care is the responsibility of the entire society, and through correct understanding, all our compatriots can jointly build a more perfect care system.