A few months ago, a heartbreaking long-term care tragedy occurred in New Taipei City. A 73-year-old retired architect, who had been taking care of his wife, who suffered from hydrocephalus, was physically and mentally exhausted and could not cope with the pressure, so he let his wife fall from the 14th floor and then gave himself up. This incident has shocked the community, and what is even more concerning is that in eight similar cases of long-term care tragedies last year, the victims were all men. Behind these tragedies are revelations about the enormous pressure faced by male caregivers and the lack of social support. Male caregivers: the invisible bearers of stressWhen we think of "caregivers," many people's first thought may be of women. However, as the social structure changes, more and more men are taking on the responsibility of family caregiving. According to statistics, the proportion of male caregivers in Taiwan is increasing year by year, but they often face greater psychological pressure and social expectations. The source of stress for male caregivers is not only the physical burden of caregiving, but also the psychological isolation and cultural shackles. Due to traditional expectations of men as "strong and not tired," many men choose to hold back and not ask for help, leading to accumulated stress that may even lead to extreme behaviors. Psychological studies have also pointed out that men tend to be more "problem-solving oriented" than "emotionally expressive" when facing stress, making it more difficult for them to speak up when they need help. Social Welfare Support in Taiwan: A Life Circle for Male Caregivers To help male caregivers reduce their stress, the Taiwanese government and local authorities have provided a number of social welfare measures, which are listed below as some of the key resources: 1. Long-term Care 2.0 Policy Taiwan's Long-term Care 2.0 Policy, which provides a diversified range of services to caregivers. Long Term Care 2.0 Policy Taiwan Long Term Care 2.0 Policy provides a wide range of services to support caregivers, in particular: Respite Services: Caregivers can apply for short-term substitute care, where a professional can take over for a short period of time to help the caregiver get some physical and mental rest. In-home service: professional care service workers come to the home to help with daily care tasks, such as cleaning, mobility or bathing, so as to alleviate the burden of caring. Day care centers: Family members who need long-term care can receive professional care in day care centers so that the caregivers can have time to work or rest. 2. Counseling and Support Groups Male caregivers often have mental health problems due to long-term stress. To address this, the government and local agencies provide the following resources: Counseling Services: Through the Department of Health and Welfare or local mental health centers, male caregivers can receive free or low-cost professional counseling to help them release stress. Support groups: Social welfare agencies and community centers have "caregiver support groups" that provide a platform for male caregivers to share their experiences, help them learn caregiving skills, and build a community of mutual support. 3. Financial support and subsidies Financial pressure is a major challenge for caregivers, especially when they are unable to work full-time due to their caring responsibilities. The following financial support is provided by the government: Living Supplement for the Physically and Mentally Challenged: If the care recipient meets the qualifications of being physically and mentally challenged, the family can apply for a living supplement to alleviate the financial burden. Caregiver's Allowance: Some local governments provide a caregiver's allowance to subsidize families who are unable to work full-time due to caregiving responsibilities. Long-term care service subsidy: Depending on the family's financial situation, it is possible to apply for a partial or full subsidy for long-term care service fees to reduce the cost of care. 4. Specific programs for male caregiversIn recent years, some local governments and non-profit organizations have launched specific programs for male caregivers, such as: Courses for male caregivers: Provide training on basic caregiving skills, so that male caregivers can have more confidence in coping with challenges. Psychological support programs: Workshops or activities to help male caregivers learn stress management skills and provide psychological support. 5. 24-hour hotline for caregivers Taiwan has a number of 24-hour hotlines to provide immediate assistance: 1966 Long-Term Care Hotline: Answers questions related to long term care and helps to link to available resources. Peace of Mind Line 1925: Provides psychological support to help caregivers relieve stress. Why do male caregivers need more attention? Male caregivers experience stress not only from physical and financial burdens, but also from psychological isolation and cultural expectations. Because men are more likely to feel shame or discomfort when asking for help, they often choose to bear the burden in silence, leaving them unable to release the stress, which can lead to anxiety, depression, and possibly even extreme behavior. Therefore, support systems designed for men should focus more on mental health maintenance and provide resources and services that suit men's needs. Act with us to support male caregivers! Male caregivers are an important part of family caregiving, but their stresses and challenges are often overlooked. If you have a male caregiver in your life, give them the care and support they need. If you are a male caregiver yourself, remember that you are not alone and there are many resources in the community to help you. We at Sunyu Academy are committed to promoting relevant information and providing professional social work services so that every caregiver can get the help they deserve. Come and interact with us to create a friendlier environment for male caregivers!
